MERRIMACK VALLEY YOUNG ADULT PROGRAM

12 Sunny Avenue
Methuen, MA 01844
978.349.4212

The Merrimack Valley Young Adult Program offers a continuum of care to young adults including intensive services like 24-hour residential care, supported apartments, outreach services in the community, and respite care. Merrimack Valley staff offer training in emotional coping skills, independent living skills, and intrinsic motivation. Family
involvement in supporting young adults’ growing independence is strongly encouraged.

Philosophy

Young adults (ages 18-25) living with emotional and behavioral challenges come to Merrimack Valley to receive supportive services designed to enhance their capacity to live independently. Merrimack Valley staff offer training in emotional coping skills, independent living skills, and intrinsic motivation. The Merrimack Valley Young Adult Program offers support ranging from a 24-hour staffed apartment residential to offsite supported apartment locations to outreach treatment to young adults living in the community. This allows young adults to increase their independence slowly by moving through a supportive continuum of care. Family involvement in supporting young adult’s growing independence is strongly encouraged.

All Merrimack Valley participants are encouraged to participate with their peers in a wide variety of activities and workshops for young adults.

Eligibility

The Merrimack Valley Young Adult Program is open to adults (ages 18-25) who are referred by the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health (DMH) and meet DMH eligibility requirements.

We believe that young adults living with major mental illness have the capacity to live in a community-based setting with appropriate supports.

Program Content

• Individualized treatment planning
• Case management and advocacy
• Family support
• Coping skill development
• Occupational therapy
• Vocational and educational support
• Wellness and nutrition support
• Crisis intervention planning
• Support with daily activities
• Psychiatry and medication management
• Home-based outreach

Wayside’s Professional Team

Our multi-disciplinary team includes clinical staff who focus on mental health recovery by offering psychological, vocational, and substance abuse support services.

Treatment is coordinated by clinical staff who provide evidence-based care that draws upon best practices in psychosocial, rehabilitation, Motivational Interviewing, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, trauma-informed care, and adult attachment.