Mental health care in Seacoast, New Hampshire

Portsmouth Regional Hospital offers hope, help, encouragement and support to individuals with a wide range of behavioral and mental health conditions. Individuals receive the highest quality care through specialized services in a safe, healthy, nonjudgmental and calming environment.

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

For Adult Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) outpatient services, please schedule a PHP appointment. You may also call (603) 570-3161 for further assistance.

Our behavioral health unit offers inpatient admission, involuntary emergency admission, an outpatient partial hospitalization program, 24/7 crisis and referral hotline and community programs.

We ask for patients who are admitted to wait 24 hours before having any visitors. This initial period is for the patient to rest, meet the treatment team and begin the process of his or her stay. Visitors must be at least 18 years old.

Please understand that depending on each situation, our staff has the right to further restrict the amount of visitors. We know family and peer support is vital to recovery, and we encourage each patient to schedule a family meeting to discuss treatment prior to discharge. These meetings can occur outside of visiting hours.

Visiting hours

Mon - Fri: 5pm - 6:30pm
Sat, Sun and holidays: 1pm - 2pm and 5pm - 6:30pm

Conditions we treat

We provide care that addresses the whole person, especially for conditions, such as:

  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Addiction
  • Psychotic and bipolar disorder
  • Behavior management issues
  • Eating disorders
  • Postpartum depression, depression and addiction during pregnancy
  • Other mood, personality and psychiatric disorders
If you or someone you know may benefit from treatment or have questions, contact our 24-hour behavioral health regional referral center at (603) 433-5270.

Signs of depression

Depression is a serious mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness. It's more than just being upset or "blue" for a short period of time. Being depressed can feel like you're carrying a heavy burden, but you're not alone. We offer services for members of the Portsmouth community who are struggling with this illness.

You may need to find professional help if you are experiencing the following:

  • Decreased energy
  • Loss of interest in usual activities—including sex and hobbies
  • Sleep disturbances—insomnia and oversleeping
  • Appetite and weight changes—loss or gain
  • Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
  • Suicide attempts or thoughts of death
  • Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
  • Chronic aches or symptoms not caused by a physical disease

Partial hospitalization program

Portsmouth Regional Hospital’s partial hospitalization program (PHP), located at 55 High St. in Hampton, New Hampshire, offers an intense outpatient treatment setting for patients who are struggling with maintaining daily routines due to mental health issues. This program serves patients who may benefit from intensive behavioral health support and psychiatric intervention.

Our location offers individuals a convenient space devoted to their unique treatment needs, allowing a flexible treatment option for patients that need a gradual transition from an inpatient stay or that need more structure but do not require inpatient treatment. The program also provides flexibility for providers to admit directly to the PHP.

Call (603) 758-1376 for more information about our PHP program.

PHP programming

The programming includes group sessions at the core but also offers special events and opportunities for patients to practice self-sufficiency behaviors. The program features expanded hours, Mon - Fri: 8:15am - 3pm.

This is designed to help patients that:

  • Are 18 years old and older
  • May be experiencing behavioral or emotional difficulties
  • May have symptoms of depression, anxiety and/or obstacles when functioning in everyday situations
  • Need support to achieve stabilization
  • Need to develop coping skills, learn to manage stress or require coaching for goal achievement
  • Have recently had an inpatient psychiatric admission and need to step down to a structured support program

Our physician-led, interdisciplinary treatment team has developed a program that integrates approaches supported by the latest clinical research and practice. These program enhancements will continue to provide the safe environment expected from Portsmouth Regional Hospital.

Our patients can expect:

  • Psychiatric consultation
  • Medication evaluation
  • Patient-centered goal setting and treatment planning
  • Group, individual and family interventions
  • Life skills practice opportunities
  • Evidence-based recovery model

What to expect in our inpatient program

Our inpatient program provides you with a secure and stable environment to assist you in regaining control of your life. We encourage patients to make the most of their hospitalization by committing to:

  • Attending groups and engage with others to receive the benefits of therapeutic support
  • Initiating aftercare planning with the help of your treatment team
  • Establishing healthy eating, sleeping and self-care patterns
  • Assuming responsibility for your own recovery
  • Committing to making positive changes for self-improvement
  • Using the support of staff for guidance and resource information
  • Remaining accountable for addressing and keeping track of your needs
  • Assessing your current support network
  • Reflecting on what makes your life meaningful
  • Focusing on solutions instead of problems
  • Remaining realistically focused on your goals and thinking
  • Creating a safety plan

We believe you can’t put a number on the length of time it takes to learn new ways to cope and recover. Our team works with your insurance carrier to advocate for the length of time you need.

What to bring and what not to bring

Safety and comfort are important to us, as is the comfort and safety of the community within the unit. All items not allowed on the unit reflect items that present safety issues and/or could potentially cause a breach of privacy.

What NOT to bring:

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

Our staff reserves the right to prohibit any items if there is a safety or therapeutic concern.

If possible, send valuable items home with friends or family members. Any valuable items can be locked on the unit in our patient lockers. Additionally, we can send items to the hospital safe. Any medication labeled in pharmacy containers will be sent to our pharmacy.

What to bring:

  • Three to four changes of casual, comfortable clothes (storage is limited)
  • Pajamas or nightgowns, without drawstrings
  • Shoes or slippers that do not require laces and do not have buckles or other unsafe objects
  • Jacket or sweater based on the weather
  • Orthotics will be considered by a physician and ordered as appropriate to patient safety

What to expect

  • First, you’ll meet with our admissions team to complete required paperwork and receive your identification band. Our staff checks your personal belongings, clothes and bags. Then, a staff member will conduct a unit tour and orient you to the procedures of the unit. Additionally, you’ll be provided with an admission folder to help you stay organized.
  • Depending on the number of inpatients at a given time, you may share a room or have a room to yourself. In addition to a bed, nightstand and storage cubby, our patient rooms include a private bathroom with a toilet and shower. Common areas are available to all patients at non-group times and close at 11 p.m.
  • We have set times for breakfast, lunch and dinner. In addition to your meals, we provide snacks, drinks and non-caffeinated coffee. While you are unable to bring in your own food and beverages, we are able to provide many options and take into account any dietary concerns you may have.
  • Cellphones are not permitted on the unit. Individuals will have access to hospital telephones when group sessions are not in progress.
  • All linen and bedding will be provided by the hospital. The hospital also provides approved personal hygiene items, such as shampoo, soap/body wash, toothbrush, toothpaste, combs and lotion. The unit has its own washer and dryer for laundry when needed.
  • 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, such as sign language and oral interpreters, video remote interpreting services, text telephones, written materials, telephone handset amplifiers, assistive listening devices and systems, telephones compatible with hearing aids and 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: