MDNews - Greater Kansas

A FOUNDATIONAL BELIEF IN THE WORTH OF E ACH INDIVIDUAL HA S ALWAYS BEEN AT THE HE ART OF PR AIRIE VIE W'S BIO¡PSYCHO¡SOCIAL¡SPIRITUAL FR AME WORK FOR CARING FOR ITS PATIENTS' NEEDS. Treatment Philosophy Gary Fast, MD, says Prairie View's treatment philosophy is based on the belief that each individual is worthy and must be understood within a bio-psycho-social-spiritual framework. We strive to empower patients through a variety of modalities with the ultimate goal of "wellness." Our bio-psycho-social-spiritual approach leads us to believe: 1. That serious mental illness has a biological component that is best treated with evidence-based pharmacologi- cal interventions; 2. That individuals have the capacity to grow and change, and are encouraged to challenge cognitive constraints and work toward self-actualization; 3. That individuals function best in supportive relationships and are, therefore, encouraged to seek wholesome relation- ships by accepting personal responsibility and setting healthy boundaries and; 4. That a holistic treatment approach includes a spiritual component that requires nurturance for one to be at peace while navigating life's journey. Prairie View Newton Campus Individual Worth Drives Prairie View's Philosophy of Care BY SARAH GOODING THE MENTA L HE A LTH center, head- quartered in Newton and featuring five locations around Kansas, was born out of the compassion of Mennonite, Quaker and Brethren conscientious objectors who volunteered as orderlies in 62 state mental hospitals during World War II. "The young conscientious objectors found that physica l and sexua l abuse of patients was not uncommon, but far more common was the immense neglect in wards of grossly overcrowded insti- tutions where there was only one paid attendant for 100 to 200 'patients,'" says Gary Fast, MD, medical director of Prairie View Inc. "After the war ended, these volunteers returned to their church com- munities and described the atrocities they had experienced. Their passion to help others, to provide compassion and hope to 'the least of these,' was instrumental in mental healthcare reform." Mennonite Central Committee, the overarching service arm of the Mennonite and Brethren churches, formed Mennonite Mental Health Services and tasked the organization with building three psy- chiatric hospitals in the United States. This led to Pra irie View forma l ly opening in Newton in March 1954 with seven sta members and 12 voluntary service workers. ONGOING ADVANCEMENT Prairie View's quality of care has allowed the practice to grow and thrive throughout the years. In the 1960s, Prairie View began con- tracting with Harvey, McPherson and Marion counties to provide services as a Community Mental Health Center. During this season of growth, the organization added outpatient services, community collaboration and consultation, emer- gency services, partial hospitalization, PHOTO BY DARRIN HACKNEY PHOTOGRAPHY F E A T U R E ❰❰❰❰❰ 1 3 M D N E W S . C O M /// M D N E W S G R E AT E R K A N S A S ■ 2 018 1 3

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