Oaklawn Psychiatric Center - Oakland Avenue

Oaklawn is the leading provider of mental health and addiction services in Elkhart and St.

Joseph counties, serving as the state-designated community mental health center with a mission to provide compassionate care and uncommon expertise across a full continuum of services to support health and wholeness for children, adolescents, adults, and families.

Founded in 1962 as a small organization in Elkhart and now operating four campuses with nearly 900 employees under the affiliation of Mennonite Health Services, Oaklawn has grown to offer evidence-based, trauma-informed, recovery-oriented treatments that prioritize person-centered care, cultural competence, and family involvement.

Services include inpatient psychiatric care at Cedars in Goshen, outpatient therapy with a Group First model combining individual, family, and group sessions for issues like depression, anxiety, dual diagnosis, and substance use disorders; specialized programs such as medication-assisted treatment (MAT), intensive case management, and the Insight program for first-episode psychosis; dedicated support for the Amish community through residential facilities like Rest Haven and Horizons of Hope; crisis intervention via 24/7 hotlines, mobile response teams, and walk-in stabilization centers; child and adolescent programs including wraparound services, suicide prevention like Sources of Strength, and Camp Mariposa for youth affected by addiction; housing and homeless outreach through PATH and supervised living options; and spiritual care integrated throughout.

Oaklawn emphasizes accessibility with sliding fee scales, no one turned away due to inability to pay, bilingual services in English and Spanish, and partnerships with schools, law enforcement, and community organizations to address gaps in behavioral health infrastructure, particularly in crisis response and opioid recovery, fostering long-term stability and community impact for underserved populations including those with justice involvement, the homeless, and individuals experiencing co-occurring disorders.

What we treat

Treatment & Programs

Levels of Care

The treatment continuum at Oaklawn Psychiatric Center spans from specialized outpatient services to dedicated inpatient residential care. At the heart of their structure is the "Group First" model, where the majority of clients begin their recovery journey in time-limited group therapy before transitioning to more specialized individual work.

Inpatient (Residential) Outpatient

Therapies

Therapy here heavily revolves around their distinct Group First philosophy, which anchors recovery in peer support and evidence-based psychoeducation. Clinicians integrate modalities like cognitive-behavioral therapy alongside weekly skills training to holistically address both the psychological and practical facets of healing.

Addictions

Addiction treatment at this facility is highly customized, addressing everything from mild to severe substance use disorders. Their dedicated Opioid Response Team and integrated Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) ensure that individuals struggling with opioid dependence have access to immediate, life-saving interventions.

Conditions

The clinical team provides comprehensive care for complex psychiatric diagnoses, operating around-the-clock crisis centers to safely manage acute suicidal or homicidal ideation. Programs like Insight specifically address first-episode psychosis, offering targeted early intervention to help clients identify goals and maintain long-term stability.

Suicidal Ideation Homicidal Ideation / Violence Risk

Issues

Recognizing that stable housing is essential to recovery, this center aggressively addresses homelessness and housing insecurity through their PATH outreach program. Outreach specialists work directly in the community to connect unstably housed individuals with emergency shelter, permanent supportive housing, and vital survival resources.

Homelessness/Housing Insecurity

Programs

Exceptional specialty tracks define Oaklawn's approach, including the New Hope adolescent program and Camp Mariposa for youth impacted by family addiction. They also run a truly unique faith-responsive program for the Amish community, featuring devotions and group therapy conducted in Pennsylvania Dutch at locally managed residential facilities.

Trauma-Informed Culturally Responsive Dual Diagnosis Amish Services Insight Transition To Independence Process Harm Reduction Oriented MAT Integrated / Medication-Friendly New Hope Adolescent Program Camp Mariposa Peer-Led / Recovery Community Model Family Systems Oriented Fuentes De Fortaleza

On-site

Amenities

The physical spaces at Oaklawn are designed to foster safety and community, most notably in their crisis centers which feature a calming, living room-style model. Additionally, their community-based Recovery Cafes provide a safe, sober environment where individuals can relax, grab a cup of coffee, and connect with peer professionals.

Coverage

Payment

Financial accessibility is a core part of the mission, backed by a firm policy that no one is turned away due to an inability to pay. They accept both Medicare and Medicaid, and offer a clear sliding fee scale based on family size to ensure affordable care for all.

Medicare Medicaid

Eligibility

Who We Serve

Oaklawn serves a deeply diverse cross-section of Elkhart and St. Joseph counties, opening its doors to children, adolescents, and adults alike. Through completely bilingual English and Spanish services, as well as culturally responsive programming for specific local populations, they ensure inclusive care for the entire region.

Languages

English

Additional Services

A robust infrastructure of wraparound support bolsters the core clinical work, ensuring sustained recovery before and after treatment. Clients benefit from accessible psychiatric services, intensive case management, and targeted life skills training designed to help them successfully transition into independent community living.

Psychiatric ServicesCase ManagementLife Skills Training

About

Facility Info

Operating as a nonprofit, faith-based organization affiliated with Mennonite Health Services, this city-based facility has been a cornerstone of Elkhart, Indiana since 1962. They lower barriers to entry with walk-in Open Access clinics and comprehensive translation services, ensuring their deeply rooted community center remains accessible to everyone.

Credentials

Accreditations

As a state-designated Community Mental Health Center for the region, this facility operates under rigorous state standards. Their community status reflects a long-standing clinical excellence and a deep operational commitment to providing reliable behavioral health safety nets for the public.