91ÌÒÉ«

Emerge Community Support Team (CST)

Comprehensive Behavioral HealthÌýServicesÌýÌý(ages 18-26)Ìý

The transition to adulthood is a challenging time for any young person, butÌýespeciallyÌýfor those with serious mental illness. Emerging adultsÌýbenefitÌýfrom specialized support from people whoÌýunderstandÌýthis transitional phase as they navigate new challenges and responsibilities.Ìý·¡³¾±ð°ù²µ±ðÌý°ä³§°ÕÌýwas designed as a multidisciplinary,Ìýteam-based program serving young people ages 18 – 26.Ìý·¡³¾±ð°ù²µ±ðÌýspecializes in providingÌýservices in a young adult’s natural environment, which could be their home, school, or a favorite local spot.

For questions and intake services, reach out to usÌýatÌý773.432.6555 orÌýYoungAdult@thresholds.org.

 

·¡³¾±ð°ù²µ±ðÌýTeam ServicesÌýÌý

Young adults are the least likely age group to seek mental health services, yet many individuals begin to experience symptoms of serious, persistent mental health problems during this phase of life.Ìý·¡³¾±ð°ù²µ±ðÌýis a multidisciplinary teamÌýrooted in the evidence-informedÌýTransition to Independence Process (TIP) Model.ÌýÌý·¡³¾±ð°ù²µ±ðÌýstaff are skilled in engaging and partnering with young people to support theirÌýprogressÌýmanagingÌýmental healthÌýproblems while addressingÌývocational, relational, and independent living goals.

91ÌÒÉ«ÌýhasÌýtwo Emerge teams:Ìý·¡³¾±ð°ù²µ±ðÌý±·´Ç°ù³Ù³óÌýprovides services to young adults on Chicago’s North side, andÌýEmerge WestÌýprovides services in Western Cook County and the Austin neighborhood on the city’s west side. Both teams provide multiple weekly in-home and community-based visits utilizing evidence-informed therapeutic approaches, including skills coaching, peer support, care coordination, education and employment support, psychiatry, medication monitoring, mentoring, goal development, and regular goal re-assessment. Emerge is a team-based approach; program participants will get to know and work with all staff on the team.

A primary focus of Emerge is to increase the natural social support and relational health among young people and their identified family members, friends, romantic partners, and others. To do this,Ìý·¡³¾±ð°ù²µ±ðÌýoffers individualÌýtherapyÌýand familyÌýsupportÌýand uses creative youth-directed strategies to bring peers together for educational, vocational, social, and cultural events.ÌýMostÌýservices are provided in the community.

 

·¡³¾±ð°ù²µ±ðÌý°ä³§°ÕÌýCore PrinciplesÌý

EMERGEÌýCSTÌýIS DEVELOPMENTALLY FOCUSED ON EMERGING ADULTS

Emerging adulthood occursÌýbetweenÌýages 18–26, spanning late adolescence and young adulthood.Ìý·¡³¾±ð°ù²µ±ðÌýdoes not solely focus on mentalÌýhealth butÌýinstead focuses on all developmental and social determinants of wellness that are important for this age group: friends, romantic relationships, belonging, work,ÌýschoolÌýand career exploration, developing independent living skills,Ìýand making smart decisions.

FOCUS ON DISCOVERY WHILE SUPPORTING RECOVERY

Recovery is an important theme for people with mental illnesses. ItÌýrepresentsÌýthe values of improving health and wellness, living a self-directedÌýlife,Ìýand reaching one’s full potential.

·¡³¾±ð°ù²µ±ðÌýembraces the notion ofÌýdiscoveryÌýas key for engaging and supporting young people in reaching their personal goals.Ìý·¡³¾±ð°ù²µ±ðÌýstaff frame their work as the act ofÌýsupporting young adultsÌýin theirÌýself-discoveryÌýandÌýlearning through experience.ÌýDiscovery also includes young people and Emerge staff gaining new insights together.Ìý·¡³¾±ð°ù²µ±ðÌýremainsÌýcurious without making assumptions or assuming the role of expert guide.

EMBRACING FLEXIBILITY TO BOOST ENGAGEMENT

·¡³¾±ð°ù²µ±ðÌýresponds to the instability that is common in emerging adulthood byÌýremainingÌýas flexible as possible in where, when, and how services are delivered.ÌýThe team strives toÌýeffectively engage young people in their wellness journeysÌýbyÌýremainingÌýflexible,ÌýassistingÌýinÌýcrisesÌýand challenging life situations,ÌýandÌýadapting to young people’s needsÌýas they develop new skills.

STRATEGIC USE OF SELF, SOCIAL ACTIVITIES AND GATHERINGS, AND FUN

Emerge embraces mutuality as an engagement tool. When relevant and appropriate, staff share their transition to adulthood experiences, e.g., managing money, dealing with roommates and family, figuring out a career, to validate struggles and provide concrete examples of how to navigate complex and stressful situations that are common in young adulthood.Ìý

·¡³¾±ð°ù²µ±ðÌýalso hosts a variety of social activities that are tailored to the personal interests of their young people.Ìý·¡³¾±ð°ù²µ±ðÌýembraces fun as a core practice – for participants and staff.Ìý·¡³¾±ð°ù²µ±ðÌýleverages creativity, flexibility, and connections to community resources to develop new opportunities for self and communal learning and growth.

·¡³¾±ð°ù²µ±ðÌýservices are funded by Medicaid and certain contractedÌýcommercialÌýinsuranceÌýplans.

For Intake, contact 91ÌÒÉ« Emerging Adult Services at 773.432.6555 or emailÌýYoungAdult@thresholds.org.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Five features of Emerging Adulthood:Ìý

1. Feeling in-between: Emerging adults do not feel likeÌýadults,Ìýnor do they feel like youth – and depending on the context, they can feel out of place. For those with mental health challenges,Ìýtreatment options mayÌýfeel inappropriate, perhapsÌýbecause the services are geared towards younger youth,Ìýmaking themÌýfeel over-protective, paternalistic,ÌýorÌýrisk avoidant; orÌýservicesÌýare geared towards adults withÌýlower activity levels and often longer-term mental health symptoms.
2. Self-focus: Emerging adults are exceedingly self-focused, exploring and experimenting with life options thatÌýminimizeÌýinvolvement withÌýfamily or otherÌýtrusted adults. Emerging adults can often function without the burden ofÌýresponsibility to spouses, children, and community.
3. Age of possibilities:ÌýIt is the time in the life span for the greatest amount of change, yielding the greatest amount of excitement, along with theÌýanxietyÌýthat comes with change. Exploring different vocational options, living situations, and relationships is typical.
4. Instability:ÌýGivenÌýtheÌýfrequency ofÌýchange, there is immense instability across life domains. Instability isÌýnormal,Ìýbut itÌýcan be stressful. For those with mental health challenges,ÌýinstabilityÌýcan be acute withÌýelevatedÌýrisk andÌýmayÌýcreate long-lasting consequences.
5. Relationship re-organization. Emerging adults experience major shifts in relationships with family,Ìýfriends,Ìýand romantic partners. For those with mental healthÌýstruggles, these shifts come withÌýadditionalÌýchallengesÌýas young people become legal adults and have more choice in how they involveÌýfamily and support networksÌýin their care.