Treatment Services:  Due to the diversity of persons who are admitted to SWVMHI, evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation services are individualized, eclectic and reflect an approach which will best meet the treatment, rehabilitation, physical, spiritual, public safety/forensic, and enrichment needs of each client. We strive to enhance the individuals’ hope, motivation, and abilities so that they can function in their chosen environmental role. The treatment and rehabilitation programs, along with the unit environment at SWVMHI, have the goal to maximize the persons’ potential to assume responsibility for their own progress and recovery. Based on individualized assessments, including psychiatric, medical, nursing, psychological, psychosocial, dietary, and rehabilitation assessments, a treatment plan is developed and implemented to guide the recovery process. A variety of treatment modalities are utilized to facilitate the persons’ involvement; family, and/or significant others will be encouraged to participate in therapy whenever possible and appropriate.

VALUES

SWVMHI is a values-driven organization. Values are widely disseminated and drive the organization. Value-based discussions are an integral part of SWVMHI. The importance of values-based decision-making can be seen in the following areas: 1) proposal evaluations, 2) values training, 3) values re-training, 4) broad dissemination of values, 5) values behavioralization training (or recognizing when the Values are at work), 6) personnel evaluations, and 7) hiring strategies.  

Communication

The value of Communication is a broad one.  Not surprisingly, this value is a part of all of the other SWVMHI values. As a result, it would not be surprising to find that this value becomes absorbed into the other SWVMHI values over time, and loses its identity as a separate value. However, it will be treated as independent at this juncture. Clearly, communication is desired, but Communication as an organizational value specifically articulates that not all communication is good or desirable.  For example, brutal honesty is not valued and this leads into the next Value which is Honesty with Compassion.  

Honesty with compassion

Honesty with compassion, as articulated by the Executive Management Committee (EMC), is sometimes referred to as The Platinum Rule (“Do unto others as they would have you do unto them”).  Here, appearances are important considerations even when service delivery is of solid quality. In other words, we have to be mindful that in our business, in our region, with our sources of funding, with the patients, co-workers and outside agencies we work with, we have to not only be good, we have to look good. Candor and caring both are required ingredients. Neither is sufficient by itself.

Trust

Trust is one of the most important of the SWVMHI Values.  Trust is the key to driving out fear in the organization.  Trust is slow to build and quick to destroy.  For example, at SWVMHI we do not promise more than we can deliver. We sincerely apologize for mistakes. We accept responsibility for the services we deliver, positive and negative. Also, what we say to a person is the same as what we say about that person. We do not separate caring from our candor. We are generous with our benefits of doubt. We do not rush to condemn others.

Teamwork

This value is essential to synergy, or combined action. Synergy is essential to maximizing the productivity of any organization.  It is important for SWVMHI to maximize the productivity of our limited human resources. Teamwork is one of the key components in the SWVMHI organizational vision.  

Self-initiative

This value complements the value of Teamwork.  Within this value is the expectation that staff do the right things for the right reasons, and that they ask questions and/or offer opinions when in doubt. “Not knowing” is less of an issue than “not asking.” At SWVMHI, if a staff member does not have an answer to a question, we want staff to always feel free to ask.  As a Value, staff are expected to take the initiative, but they do so with the realization that what they do may affect others’ work.  The value is that staff self-initiate, but they do so with personal, professional, and organizational respect for what might have already transpired. This requires the combination of trust/trustworthiness, passion, communication, and unselfishness.  

Leadership

This value is closely associated with the values of Teamwork and Self-initiative. Closely linked to the value of Leadership, is the value of being a good follower. When combined with the entire set of SWVMHI’s Core Values, it becomes clear that leadership behavior is expected. Similarly, supporting our leaders is also expected.  

Honoring day-to-day tasks  

This value could have several names since it captures some basic cultural concepts related to providing high quality, moment-to-moment interactions with people. This Value captures behaviors such as politeness, neighborliness, optimism, good manners, and leading by example. It is considered to be one of the fundamental “building blocks of excellence” in any organization and is a key part of the SWVMHI Mission and Vision. The value of Honoring day-to-day tasks is something that reviewers (Medicaid, Medicare, Joint Commission, etc.) of SWVMHI have commented positively upon for many years. Virtually every successful organization has a fundamental value similar to Honoring day-to-day tasks. It is a key element to long-term organizational success. All recognize that seemingly small tasks carried out with excellence are the building blocks of overall excellence.

Leadership Philosophy Statement  

The Southwestern Virginia Mental Health Institute leadership philosophy promotes creativity, teamwork, and shared leadership by expecting all employees to learn, live and lead by the organizational Values.  We believe leadership can and should be demonstrated by all staff in their individual and collective roles.  This leadership philosophy enables SWVMHI to fulfill its Mission  of assisting people in their recovery.

Home