Chattanooga, Tenn. — This month, the New Horizons program at Parkridge Valley celebrates nineteen years of providing comprehensive, faith-based care for adults confronted with various types of mental health issues. The New Horizons program provides a comprehensive array of psychiatric services and has as its base a strong Christian world and life view that facilitates healing and well being.
The New Horizons program began in September of 1989 and was originally designed for patients seeking a strong spiritual component to their treatment. Today the program serves patients from all faith backgrounds, and provides crisis stabilization until the patient can be transitioned to a less restrictive setting. Patients are referred to the program by counselors, pastors, physicians and self referrals.
The dedicated staff has played an important role in the program's success and many of the original staff members still remain a part of the program, including the nursing director, social worker, psychiatrist and psychologist. Others who began the program as mental health technicians have received nursing degrees and remain active with the program.
Cynthia Sparks, Associate Chief Nursing Officer of Adult Services at Parkridge Valley, states that the New Horizons program is often referred to as "one of the best kept secrets in Chattanooga." This specialized program is one of a kind in the southeast and frequently receives clients from outside the region.
"Located in the Bible Belt, our patients are often faced with greater stigma due to their faith," says Sparks. "Many people erroneously feel that emotional problems are the direct result of personal sin. They hear advice from well-meaning family members and friends, suggesting that real Christians don't get depressed, they need to pray more and have more faith." Sparks believes that this false assumption contributes to the patient's emotional state and reluctance to seek help.
For more information on the New Horizons program and other services offered at Parkridge Valley, call RESPOND at (423) 499-2300 or 1-800-542-9600.