Mental illness includes various conditions that can affect how people feel, think, act, and manage daily life.
These challenges can interfere with routines, relationships, and even physical health.
Mental illnesses can range from mild to severe and may last for a short time or persist longer. That’s why good mental health care is so important for feeling and living well.
Friends Mental Health Hospital is a reliable facility that helps people cope with and overcome mental health issues.
In this article, we’ll explore Friends Mental Health Hospital’s services and the communities it serves.
For those who need quick and easy access to mental health care from home, services like BetterHelp are a great option.
By signing up with BetterHelp, people can connect with licensed therapists for online sessions, making getting the support they need easier.
Whether through a hospital or an online platform, finding the right care is a key part of the path to mental health recovery.
About Friends Mental Health Hospital
Friends Hospital, located on a tranquil 100-acre campus in Northeast Philadelphia, is the oldest private psychiatric hospital in the U.S.
Founded by Quakers in 1813, it was built on the belief that everyone with mental illness deserves kindness, respect, and dignity.
It introduced “moral treatment,” focusing on improving mental well-being rather than just treating illness—a groundbreaking idea at the time.
Today, Friends Hospital continues its mission by blending its historic values with modern mental health practices.
It provides care for adolescents, adults, and seniors, starting with thorough evaluations and personalized treatment plans to help stabilize symptoms and support recovery.
The hospital also helps patients plan for life after treatment, ensuring they have the tools to maintain balance and wellness.
Set in a calm, rural environment, Friends Hospital remains dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based care while treating every person with respect and understanding.
Mental Health Services Provided By Friends Hospital
1. Behavioral Health Program for Adolescents
The Behavioral Health Program for Adolescents at Friends Hospital helps teens aged 13 to 17 with mental health and substance use challenges.
The program provides inpatient care in a safe, structured setting with separate areas for boys and girls.
Teens receive personalized treatment to help them manage issues like anxiety, depression, mood swings, and substance use while learning healthy coping skills.
The program includes therapy for individuals, groups, and families, plus academic support from certified teachers.
Teens also get private rooms, access to outdoor spaces, and a comprehensive treatment plan designed to meet their needs.
Friends Hospital is committed to helping teens address mental health concerns early, offering the care and support they need to heal and grow.
2. Behavioral Health Program for Adults
The Behavioral Health Program for Adults at Friends Hospital provides specialized care for adults aged 18 to 65 dealing with mental health challenges like depression, anxiety, mood swings, and substance use.
The program offers different units based on each patient’s needs, including one for those with more severe conditions and another focused on recovery.
Each patient receives a confidential assessment to create a personalized treatment plan.
The program includes individual, group, and family therapy, along with wellness plans tailored to each person’s goals.
Patients also enjoy private rooms and access to outdoor spaces, all designed to support their healing and well-being.
3. Behavioral Health Program for Seniors
With over 30 years of experience, Friends Hospital offers a program dedicated to older adults dealing with mental health and physical challenges.
A skilled team of professionals provides individualized treatment, addressing issues like substance use and mood disorders.
Therapy options include individual, group, and family sessions, with plans tailored to promote recovery and quality of life.
Patients enjoy a comfortable setting with private rooms and access to outdoor areas.
4. Long-Term Residential Treatment
The Greystone Program offers 24/7 residential care for adults with serious mental health conditions.
Residents receive medication management, therapy, and counselling to build life skills, foster social connections, and work toward recovery.
A compassionate team of medical professionals oversees the program, encouraging family involvement to support each resident’s progress.
5. Crisis Response Center
Open 24/7, the Crisis Response Center provides emergency mental health evaluations, treatment, and resources for adults 18 and older.
A dedicated team of counsellors, nurses, and psychiatrists offers immediate support, linking patients to ongoing care and community services.
The centre also assists with involuntary commitment requests for Philadelphia County residents.
6. Service For LGBTQ+ patients
Friends Mental Health Hospital provides a safe and supportive space for LGBTQ+ patients.
It offers private rooms, placement in gender-specific areas based on identity and preference, and care from clinicians trained to understand LGBTQ+ needs.
The hospital welcomes feedback to improve services and connects patients to helpful local and national LGBTQ+ health resources.
Team of Experts of Friends Mental Health Hospital
1. Angela (Angie) Cantwell
Angela (Angie) Cantwell, MSN, RN, is the CEO and Managing Director at Friends Hospital.
She has over 30 years of experience in healthcare, both in clinical roles and hospital management.
Before joining Friends, Angie worked at Jefferson-Einstein, where she led the Crisis Response Center, served as Clinical Director of Nursing, and managed Psychiatry services.
A lifelong Philadelphia resident, Angie is proud to be part of Friends Hospital’s mission.
She is focused on creating a safe and high-quality environment for patients and supporting the hospital’s commitment to community involvement and staff growth.
Angie’s education in psychology and nursing, along with her master’s degree in nursing, helps guide her efforts to provide excellent mental health care.
2. Mark Kern
Rebecca Stanley is the Chief Nursing Officer at Friends Hospital, with 26 years of experience as a Psychiatric Nurse Specialist.
Before moving to Philadelphia, she worked at Yale New Haven Hospital in Connecticut for 16 years, where she managed psychiatric care in inpatient, emergency, and outpatient settings.
Rebecca graduated from Yale School of Nursing in 1996 and also holds a degree in Psychology from Connecticut College.
She is committed to providing excellent psychiatric care and leadership at Friends Hospital.
3. Antwan Crawford
Antwan Crawford is the Director of Nursing Education at Friends Hospital.
He has over 10 years of experience in healthcare and has been with Friends since 2018, focusing on training and supporting new staff.
He helps ensure new nurses are well-prepared for their roles. Antwan is passionate about helping staff grow and improving patient care.
4. Rebecca Stanley
Rebecca Stanley is the Chief Nursing Officer at Friends Hospital, with 26 years of experience as a Psychiatric Nurse Specialist.
Before moving to Philadelphia, she worked at Yale New Haven Hospital in Connecticut for 16 years, where she managed psychiatric care in inpatient, emergency, and outpatient settings.
She is committed to providing excellent psychiatric care and leadership at Friends Hospital.
5. Tanya Bond
Tanya Bond is the Director of Human Resources at Friends Hospital. She has over 20 years of experience in HR, working in areas like recruitment, training, and union relations.
Before joining Friends Hospital, she was a Labor Relations Manager at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
Tanya earned her bachelor’s degree from Drexel University and a master’s in Human Resource Management from Holy Family University.
She is dedicated to improving HR processes and supporting the hospital staff.
6. Elizabeth Klotz
Elizabeth Klotz, LCSW, is the Director of Social Services at Friends Hospital, where she leads the social work team across eight inpatient units.
With over 20 years of experience, Elizabeth has worked in hospitals and healthcare settings, including her previous role as Director of Counseling and Adult Social Services at Horsham Clinic.
She also has a history with Friends Hospital, having served as a therapist, team leader, and utilization manager.
She is dedicated to guiding her team in providing caring and effective social support to patients.
7. Sheryl Stern
Sheryl Stern, RN, BSN, is the Director of Utilization Management at Friends Hospital. With a background in nursing and over 30 years in behavioural health, she ensures patients receive the right care and treatment.
Sheryl has been part of the hospital since 2005, taking on key roles in care management and leadership.
8. Andrea Ottaviano
Andrea Ottaviano, Director of Performance Improvement at Friends Hospital, has over ten years of experience in quality improvement within behavioural health.
With a background in education, she helped introduce electronic medical records at the hospital and works to keep the system running smoothly to improve patient care.
Want to know more about mental health services, check these out:
- Western Montana Mental Health Center: Empowering Wellness
- Del Amo Mental Health Hospital: Comprehensive Care
- Park Slope Center for Mental Health: Nurturing Wellness
Partners of Friends Hospital
Friends Hospital works with several organizations to provide the best care and support for mental health needs.
- Scattergood Foundation: This group focuses on improving healthcare by promoting compassion, inclusivity, and respect for every person’s value and dignity.
- Human Rights Campaign: Dedicated to supporting the LGBTQ+ community, this organization fights for a world where everyone can live freely and equally under the law.
- National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention: Friends Hospital teams up with this group to improve suicide prevention efforts. Together, they aim to reduce suicide rates, provide resources, and create better healthcare systems.
These partnerships reflect Friends Hospital’s dedication to offering compassionate and innovative care for everyone they serve.
Address and Contact Information
Friends Hospital is located at 4641 Roosevelt Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19124. You can Friends Hospital phone Number at 215-831-4600 or call their toll-free number at 800-889-0548.
For more details, visit their official website.
FAQ’s:
What are the two main types of treatment for mental disorders?
The two main treatments for mental health disorders are therapy and medication.
Therapy, like counselling or talk therapy, helps people understand and manage their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours.
Medication, prescribed by doctors, can help balance chemicals in the brain to improve mood and reduce symptoms. Often, a combination of both works best.
What is the hardest mental illness to live with?
Every mental illness is challenging in its own way, but some, like borderline personality disorder (BPD), are often considered particularly difficult.
People with BPD may experience intense emotions, unstable relationships, and a strong fear of being abandoned, which can deeply affect their daily lives.
That said, with the right treatment and support, people with any mental illness can find ways to manage and improve their quality of life.
