Valentine’s Day at Amber Lantern
Merry Christmas from Amber Lantern! Our staff and clients had a wonderful time at Amber Lantern’s annual Christmas party.
Eliminate The Wait Offers Strategy to Reduce Pressure on State Hospitals
Over the past 20 years the number of people in the Texas Criminal Justice System found incompetent to stand trial has increased by 38%. Each of these defendants is required to receive restoration treatment at Texas State Hospitals, but without funding for additional beds the waitlist for treatment has reached a staggering 1,883 individuals.
Christmas at Amber Lantern
Merry Christmas from Amber Lantern! Our staff and clients had a wonderful time at Amber Lantern’s annual Christmas party.
Texas State Hospital Waitlists Hit Record Highs
The population of Texas has more than tripled since the 1960s, but in that same time frame the number of State Hospital beds have been cut down by a factor of five from nearly 15,000 in 1964 to just over 3,000 in 2016. This ballooning population and lack of capacity has resulting in an ever increasing waitlist for State Hospital admissions.
Mental health in the news
As the COVID-19 Pandemic continues to disrupt American lives the importance of mental health has never been more apparent than it is right now. Media outlets are covering the topic in ways that they have not in the past and are breaking new ground for mental health awareness and acceptance.
Resident Openings October 2021
Amber Lantern has two openings for new residents in our Women’s community. If you know someone who meets the requirements for the Texas HCBS-AMH program and is looking to take the next step on their road to recovery please contact the Amber Lantern team!
Is residential treatment cost-effective?
We know that residential treatment programs like the ones offered by Amber Lantern offer excellent opportunities for people living with severe mental illness to integrate with their communities while receiving the support that they need, but are they cost-effective compared to inpatient treatment and other alternatives? According to a study by the Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, yes they can be.
HCBS-AMH Client’s Journey
Navigating mental health resources isn’t always easy. That’s why UT Austin created this helpful video to better explain the eligibility requirements and enrollment process for the Texas HCBS-AMH program. If you would like to schedule a consultation to learn more about this program please contact the Amber Lantern Team.
Amber Lantern Resident Rights and Responsibilities
For program participants at Amber Lantern making the most of their time with us is a two way street. Checkout our latest article for information on resident rights and responsibilities.
Who is eligible for HCBS-AMH?
Learn more about eligibility requirements for the Texas HCBS-AMH program.
What is HCBS-AMH?
Home and Community-Based Services-Adult Mental Health (HCBS-AMH) is a program available in certain local mental health authority service regions that provides home and community-based services to adults with serious mental illness.
Developing Independence
Supporting each resident’s personalized path to recovery and independence is a key element of our mission at Amber Lantern. Treatment program participants are encouraged to spend time out in the community beyond our houses developing their own interests, furthering their education, building careers, and spending time with family.
Why Take Medication?
Medication helps to balance what are called neurotransmitters in the brain. The brain cells use these neurotransmitters to communicate. Too much or too little of specific neurotransmitters makes it difficult for cells to communicate properly and can lead to depression, mania, anxiety, or hearing voices.
Housing options for individuals with behavioral health conditions in San Antonio
For people living with behavioral health conditions and their families it can be very challenging to find affordable living accommodations that also offer the appropriate amount of support. In this article we will explore three common housing options and review the pros and cons of each.
Depression Treatment in San Antonio
The signs of a depressive episode can include feeling low, sad, blue or depressed most of the day, nearly every day for at least 2 weeks. During the same time-period, someone who is depressed may have difficulty enjoying the things they used to enjoy.
How do I cope with voices that will not go away?
While there are medications that help reduce voices or what doctors call auditory hallucinations, these medicines don’t always take voices away. Many people continue to hear voices even though they are on appropriate medication.
What Good Is Meditation
Mediation is a practice of deep breathing and relaxation that helps to control anxiety, reduces stress, increases awareness of the moment and promotes feelings of well-being.
Traumatic Brain Injury
Someone that gets hit in the head, or has their head jolted or penetrated by an object can suffer what is called Traumatic Brain Injury or TBI.
Animal Assisted Therapy
Animal Assisted Interventions refer to a diverse group of activities that involve guided interactions between humans and trained therapy animals. Often called "pet therapy", this service is provided in a variety of settings, like hospitals, schools, nursing facilities, and libraries.
Do you have a lot of clutter?
Having clutter often comes from not being able to let go of things. Sometimes the clutter takes up so much room there is no where to sit or to eat. Have you ever wondered if this is a problem for you?