The eight-month program called "Advancing Standards of Care for People with Schizophrenia," is aimed at helping those with schizophrenia feel more independent in carrying out their daily activities such as maintaining a job, visiting a library or having a meal with a friend.
The new approach will rely on consistent use of the "Daily Living Activities" tool, an interactive assessment that the mental health professional and patient will complete together to track how he or she is functioning, according to the CSB.
Meaning "things more like how to manage their illness, if they're taking their medications as it's prescribed," said Cheryl Holt, CSB director of integrated health care.
"Sometimes it's things like learning how to set up a routine because a lot of folks with mental illness, especially schizophrenia, being organized is a big issue for them. "
According to mental health experts, the improvement in day-to-day functioning is a critical first step toward more complete self directed disease management.
The National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare is responsible for the pilot program. It is providing $3,000 to the CSB for basic expenses, as well as free staff training, according to the CSB.
"When it comes to helping people with schizophrenia, low expectations and limited resources have resulted in our treating the disease and not the person," Linda Rosenberg, president and CEO of the National Council, said in a statement.
"The Advancing Standards of Care program brings a real opportunity to strengthen and enhance the care we can provide to people with schizophrenia. With tools that focus on how a person is functioning, we can make meaningful improvements in the lives of people with schizophrenia and their caregivers."
About 50 patients, mostly from Cobb, will participate in the pilot program, said Holt. Some will be current CSB patients, however, anyone diagnosed with schizophrenia can apply to participate by calling the Cobb CSB Access Center on County Services Parkway in Marietta at (770) 422-0202.
"I hope that we will be able to further enhance our services and be able to have better outcomes," said Holt. "Ultimately, the more that our clients are able to become higher functioning, they're able to take care of themselves."
In addition to Cobb, other pilot sites in the program include: AltaPointe Health Systems Inc. in Mobile, Ala.; AtlantiCare Behavioral Health in Egg Harbor Township, N.J.; Family Guidance Center for Behavioral Healthcare in Saint Joseph, Mo.; Gallahue Mental Health Services in Indianapolis; Hill Country Community MHMR Center, Kerrville, Texas; Mental Health Centers of Central Illinois in Springfield; Recovery Resources in Cleveland, Ohio; Seminole Behavioral Healthcare in Fern Park, Fla.; and Spokane Mental Health in Spokane, Wash.
The CSB is a public agency that provides mental health, developmental disabilities and substance abuse services to more than 13,000 residents annually. Of those, about 15 percent suffer from schizophrenia.
The agency, which also serves Douglas and Cherokee counties, is funded by the state, county, grants, donations, Medicaid and Medicare.