Mental health care in southern New Hampshire

If you or someone you know needs psychiatric care or mental health services, call (603) 433-5270 to speak to our representative.

For Adult Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) outpatient services at our Concord or Derry, New Hampshire locations, please schedule a PHP Appointment. For further assistance, you may call (603) 421-2450 for Concord or (603) 421-3771 for Derry.

Parkland Medical Center leads the region in providing high-quality psychiatric care. We offer hope and support for individuals with a wide range of behavioral and mental health needs. Conditions we treat include:

  • Addictions
  • Anxiety
  • Psychotic and bipolar disorders
  • Behavior management issues
  • Other moods, personality and psychiatric disorders
  • Depression
  • Postpartum depression
  • Depression and addiction during pregnancy

Because Parkland Medical Center is a full-service hospital, medical-surgical services are quickly available should a medical emergency or complications arise during treatment. Each psychiatrist is specially trained to help patients dealing with mental health problems, including anxiety, depression and similar disorders.

Personalized behavioral health services

Parkland Medical Center advocates for and supports our patients through a full continuum of treatment programs and provides the highest quality of mental health care. Our programs provide personalized, dedicated care in a comfortable setting while retaining full access to exceptional medical care at Parkland Medical Center. Your behavioral health plan may include:

  • Expressive therapy
  • Introductory cognitive behavioral therapy
  • Illness and medical management
  • Management of stress and vulnerability
  • Coping strategies
  • Relaxation techniques

Compassionate specialists

We understand the pain our patients feel when they come to us, whether they're seeking help for emotional or addiction issues. We strive to make each individual feel comfortable, respected, supported and not alone. Our team is also specially trained to respond to individuals at risk of suicide.

Parkland Medical Center’s team of experienced medical professionals applies a multispecialty approach to overall patient health. This means an entire team combines their expertise to develop personalized treatment plans for each person's needs. At Parkland Medical Center, patients work with the following specialists:

  • Board-certified psychiatrists
  • Specialized nurses
  • Licensed social workers
  • Addictionologists
  • Psychiatric analysts
  • Other behavioral health professionals

Because we focus on restoring you to whole health and wellness, we offer care for your mind, body and spirit. You may benefit from Reiki relaxation therapy, for example, or pastoral care, nutritional services or yoga and tai chi classes.

Inpatient and outpatient behavioral health services

Our mental and behavioral health programs cover a wide range of inpatient services for adults and adolescents 18 years old and older. Following an assessment, we will develop an individualized care plan that prioritizes safety, crisis stabilization, collaboration with outpatient treatment opportunities, aftercare, individual empowerment and patient and family education and support.

Parkland Center for Emotional Wellness - partial hospitalization program

For Adult Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) outpatient services at our Concord or Derry, New Hampshire locations, please schedule a PHP Appointment. For further assistance, you may call (603) 421-2450 for Concord or (603) 421-3771 for Derry.


The Parkland Center for Emotional Wellness partial hospitalization program (PHP) provides an intense, individualized outpatient treatment setting for adults experiencing symptoms of anxiety, depression and other mental health issues.

The PHP is designed to help a patient who:

  • Is an adult (18 years old or older)
  • May be experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety and/or other challenges that inhibit everyday living
  • May have recently had an inpatient psychiatric admission and needs to transition to a structured support program
  • Needs to develop coping skills for managing stress and mood changes

Treatment services we offer through the PHP include:

  • A structured, group therapy-oriented treatment setting that convenes Monday through Friday to offer ongoing available intervention and support
  • Assistance and planning for referral to treatment services upon discharge from the program
  • Diagnostic assessment and evaluation
  • Dynamic individual, family and group therapy sessions led by mental health professionals
  • Medication evaluation and management by a psychiatrist
  • One-on-one visits with a psychiatrist, including medication evaluation and management
  • Patient and family education

Eating disorder treatment

Parkland offers comprehensive eating disorder treatment through Reflections Eating Disorder Treatment Center, located in Parkland's Medical Office Building. Through Reflections, our patients have access to inpatient, partial hospitalization and outpatient eating disorder care options.

24/7 crisis and referral programs

Our free, 24-hour crisis line for assistance and referrals lets you talk with a trained mental health professional any time, day or night. Our mission is to connect individuals and families in crisis with the right level of care for an emotional or behavioral problem. Parkland also works closely with community organizations to help people in need of any support services that aren’t available at the hospital.

Call our 24/7 Crisis and Referral Services: (603) 433-5270

Involuntary emergency admission

Parkland Center for Emotional Wellness does not provide involuntary emergency admission, but our sister facility, Portsmouth Regional Hospital, does. If two qualified professionals certify that your behavior presents an immediate threat of serious harm to yourself or others because of a mental illness, we will refer you to the facility most appropriate for this level of care.

Inpatient behavioral health facilities

Our voluntary inpatient program is for individuals 18 years old and older with acute psychiatric, emotional or behavioral disorders and includes 24-hour monitoring and treatment. The duration of inpatient treatment depends on the patient's needs but is typically six to 10 days.

The Behavioral Health Unit, located at Parkland Medical Center’s main campus, offers a warm and friendly environment for recovery. We have 18 beds in semi-private rooms. The first-floor unit offers dedicated private and group therapy rooms, dining areas and a common space.

Your safety and security are guiding factors in everything we do, from identifying treatments to designing the treatment environment and controlling visitor access. Our behavioral health team helps stabilize individuals in acute psychiatric crisis and provides a program of treatment, counseling and/or medication management.

What to expect at our residential treatment center

First, you’ll meet with a member of our admissions team to complete the required paperwork. Our staff will check your personal belongings, clothes and bags. Restricted items must be sent home with a family member or secured in our locked storage. A staff member will conduct a unit tour and orient you to the procedures of the unit. Additionally, you will be provided with an admission folder to help you keep organized during your stay.

Making the most of your inpatient behavioral health treatment

Recovery can mean lots of things, but you get to decide what it means to you. We are here to help you begin the process of improving your physical and emotional health, wellness and quality of life.

We encourage patients to make the most of their hospitalization by committing to:

  • Accepting that recovery is an ongoing process that needs your diligent attention
  • Assessing your current support network
  • Assuming responsibility for your recovery
  • Attending groups and engaging with others to receive the benefits of therapeutic support
  • Committing to making positive changes for self-improvement
  • Creating a safety plan
  • Establishing healthy eating, sleeping and self-care patterns
  • Focusing on solutions instead of problems
  • Focusing on your crisis while in the hospital
  • Giving yourself credit where credit is due
  • Initiating aftercare planning with the help of your treatment team
  • Reflecting on what makes your life meaningful
  • Remaining accountable for addressing and keeping track of your needs
  • Remaining realistically focused on your goals and thinking
  • Requesting information about your diagnosis
  • Using the support of staff for guidance and resource information

Where you’ll stay

Depending on the number of inpatients, you may share a room or have one to yourself. In addition to a bed, nightstand and storage cubby, rooms include a private bathroom with a toilet and shower.

The Behavioral Health Unit has several common areas. We encourage patients to spend time outside their rooms and socialize with peers. The common areas are available to all patients during non-group times and close at 11:00pm.

How long you’ll stay

There’s no set length of time it takes a person to learn new ways to cope and recover. Many insurance companies authorize several days at a time for inpatient care. Our case management team works with insurance carriers to advocate for the length of time you need.

What to bring

Individuals are encouraged to bring:

  • A jacket or sweater, depending on the weather
  • Pajamas or nightgowns, without drawstrings
  • Shoes or slippers that do not require laces and do not have buckles or unsafe objects
  • Three to four changes of casual, comfortable clothes

Staff will inspect personal items and bags brought in upon admission and during visiting hours. Patients are allowed to keep all unrestricted items with them. Staff will consider orthotics and allow these devices in compliance with patient safety.

What not to bring

For the safety of our unit, we do not allow any items that may be harmful and/or a distraction to patients or others. This includes:

  • Glass/plastic items
  • Matches/lighters
  • Sharp objects/nail clippers
  • Electronic devices
  • Personal hygiene items containing alcohol
  • Clothing depicting drugs, alcohol or violence
  • Makeup
  • Personal blankets, pillows and stuffed animals
  • Food/beverages from outside
  • Weapons
  • Aerosol cans
  • Objects containing metal
  • Belts and laces
  • Items containing substances

If possible, send any valuable items home with friends or family members. Valuables can be locked in our patient lockers or stored in the hospital safe. We will send any medication labeled in pharmacy containers to our pharmacy.

Visiting hours

Each patient is allowed one visitor at a time. If more than one visitor arrives, they must take turns meeting with the patient. Staff will accommodate more visitors per patient as space on the unit allows.

Visiting hours are:

  • Monday through Friday: 12:30pm to 1:30pm and 5:15pm to 6:15pm
  • Saturday and Sunday: 12:30pm to 1:30pm and 5:15pm to 6:15pm

Family and peer support meetings

Family and peer support are vital to your recovery. We encourage each patient to schedule a family meeting to discuss your treatment before discharge. These meetings can occur outside of visiting hours.

Meals

Part of building a healthy routine is eating regularly. We have set times for breakfast, lunch and dinner. In addition to your meals, the hospital provides snacks, drinks and non-caffeinated coffee.

Patients are allowed to order caffeinated coffee with their breakfast. While we do not allow you to bring your own food and beverages, we provide many options and accommodate dietary restrictions.

Telephone use

To ensure you spend most of your time focused on your recovery, cellphones are not permitted on the unit. Patients have access to the hospital telephones when group sessions are not in progress.

Linens and laundry

The hospital provides all linen and bedding. We also provide approved personal hygiene items. The Behavioral Health Unit has its own washer and dryer for laundry.

Disability and interpreter services

To ensure effective communication with individuals and their companions who are deaf, hard of hearing or in need of an interpreter, we provide appropriate auxiliary aids and services free of charge, including:

  • Sign language and oral interpreters
  • Video remote interpreting services
  • Teleprinters (TTYs)
  • Written materials
  • Telephone handset amplifiers
  • Assistive listening devices and systems
  • Telephones compatible with hearing aids
  • Televisions with caption capability

Please notify your admission team upon arrival if you need assistance.

Patient resources

Please see the below sites for additional mental health resources:

Behavioral health patient testimonials

"Every single person in the Behavioral Health Unit was so willing and eager to help get my treatment to the next step. They treated me with respect and consideration, while simultaneously making me laugh and giving me the energy and strength to get through. The days were structured with scheduled groups and classes. These settings provided me with realistic coping skills I can implement in day-to-day life, as well as safe spaces I felt I could be honest about my thoughts and feelings.

Once I was discharged, it was no surprise staff in the Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) continued to exceed my expectations. The transition from inpatient to PHP was seamless. PHP was instrumental in my recovery process. Each day was structured perfectly with learning, coping and mindfulness practices.

The environment at PHP was very bright and welcoming. I felt like my voice was heard, and I was constantly advocated for. This was an invaluable experience for me. The staff are incredible, and they worked with me to find a comfortable discharge date and educated me on facilities and resources in the area. I genuinely do not believe I’d be where I am today without the remarkable staff at PHP."

Morgan—Hooksett, New Hampshire

“I was in the Partial Hospitalization Program at Parkland for eight weeks, and this program has made me see that I am not alone, that I can be myself and that I can have friends again. I believe that the skills taught are skills that everyone suffering with a mental disorder needs. My main message to anyone suffering is you’re not alone, there’s help out there, and you can do it!”

Ashleigh—Salem, New Hampshire

“I had a great experience at the Parkland PHP. From the first meeting, I felt the staff was warm, welcoming and wanted to help. I have learned so much about the DBT (dialectical behavior therapy) and CBT (cognitive-behavioral therapy) skill set and am so grateful the staff took the extra time to help me understand the steps properly. I greatly appreciated journaling during the program as it is so therapeutic and really promotes my wellness.

At PHP, I felt extremely safe, both physically and mentally in group sessions. I cannot express the gratitude I have for the staff at Parkland PHP. I highly recommend Parkland PHP and from the bottom of my heart, thank you for helping save my life.”

Chad—Londonderry, New Hampshire