Center for Behavioral Health
Would my patient benefit from the CBH-SOAR Program?
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CBH-SOAR Services
The CBH-SOAR Program offers a suite of services for Mississippians aged 14-25 years
old who may be at risk of developing a serious mental illness. Services are available
to Mississippians across the state via telehealth or in-person in Hattiesburg.
- Determining whether an individual is at Clinical High Risk for developing a serious mental illness using evidence-based assessments
- Providing interventions aimed at improving outcomes. Our primary goals are to reduce
symptoms, foster resilience, and promote functional abilities. These interventions
will vary depending on the individual and their needs, but may include:
- Individual therapy
- Group therapy
- Safety planning
- Inclusion of family members or other social supports in psychoeducation and therapy
- Support to facilitate success in school and/or employment
- Connecting individuals and their families to the most appropriate services for them. If an individual does not qualify for services through the CBH-SOAR Program, we will work to facilitate transitions to appropriate services as well as provide referrals and resources.
How to Identify Patients at Clinical High Risk
The CBH-SOAR Program provides services to those at Clinical High Risk for developing
serious mental illnesses. Clients at Clinical High Risk may have experiences that
seem like a change from how the individual previously acted and may appear unusual
or concerning. Clients reporting or exhibiting the following experiences are appropriate
for referral to the CBH-SOAR Program.
- Feelings of suspicion or fearfulness of others, or acting on-edge (e.g., scanning their environment, avoiding others)
- Increased social isolation or withdrawal
- Reduced interest in social activities
- Unique perceptual experiences, such as hearing or seeing things that others do not, possibly responding to these experiences (e.g., covering ears when others cannot hear what is bothering them)
- Greater difficulty at school, work, or in social settings (e.g., struggling with their grades or normal tasks more so than usual)
- Difficulties in communicating thoughts to others, including disorganized speech or expressed frustration in their conversations being misunderstood
In addition to these changes to an individual’s thoughts, feelings, or behavior, below
are some additional factors that may contribute to a person’s status as Clinical High
Risk.
- Family history of serious mental illness, such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia-spectrum disorders
- Changes in sleep patterns (e.g., unable to sleep at night, sleeping throughout the day)
- Decline in self-care (e.g., poor hygiene, difficulty caring for one’s basic needs)
- History of, or increased substance use (e.g., cannabis)
Clients at Clinical High Risk may also report a vague sense of changes to their thinking or perceptions. They may say things like “I’m scared I’m going crazy,” or “I feel like I’m losing my mind.”
Clients at Clinical High Risk may exhibit only subtle signs or symptoms, and the CBH-SOAR
Program is happy to accept all referrals!
How do I refer my patient for CBH-SOAR services?
Yes. Although a provider referral is not required, providers are welcome to send a direct referral to us by faxing this CBH-SOAR Provider Referral form to 601.266.6928.
Once the referral is received, the CBH-SOAR staff will reach out to your patient
or their guardian (if under the age of 18) and initiate a screening to determine eligibility for
the CBH-SOAR program.
Yes. Your patient can initiate services themselves by completing our brief screening questionnaire.
Your patient, or their legal guardian if they are under the age of 18, can complete
our screening forms here:
Please note that this portal is deactivated during semester breaks and during hours
the CBH is not operating.
Yes. Your patient can complete the PRIME-5 screener while in office. This is a brief 5-item
online screener.
The screener asks if they would like the CBH-SOAR team to follow up with them. If
they indicate they would like us to follow up with them, we will contact them to share
results from the brief screener and discuss if further screening may be beneficial
for them.