In a recent interview on PCN’s On the Issues, Aisha Neal, Program Director for Be Well at MPAC, discussed a pioneering approach to mental health care for seniors. Neal detailed the landmark partnership between The Behavioral Wellness Center at Girard and Monumental Post-Acute Care (MPAC), which created the “Be Well at MPAC” program—the first of its kind in the United States. This initiative provides integrated, 24/7 behavioral and medical services within a dedicated skilled nursing facility for frail older adults with serious mental illnesses like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Drawing from her extensive background, which includes a Master’s in Clinical Psychology and frontline experience as a mental health worker and social worker, Neal explained her deep-seated motivation to serve the community. She shared that one of the most rewarding aspects of her work is seeing clients she first assisted 20 years ago, calling it a “reunion” that underscores the critical, long-term need for such a specialized and supportive care model.