Silver Hill’s Ketamine Treatment Program Marks One Year of Delivering Care
When William Prueitt, MD, began treating patients at Silver Hill Hospital’s Ketamine Treatment Program one year ago, he had seen how depression has significantly affected many people in our community. As a resident at Yale School of Medicine, he witnessed firsthand how ketamine therapy could help people with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) — a condition diagnosed when someone has not responded adequately to at least two antidepressant medications taken at sufficient doses for an appropriate length of time.
Dr. Prueitt’s work leading Yale’s Psychedelic Science Group and treating patients at the university’s ketamine center were pivotal in designing and developing Silver Hill’s program, and his deliberate, compassionate, and individualized approach to patient care has defined the program’s first year.
The launch of Silver Hill’s Ketamine Treatment Program came at a critical time. According to a recent Gallup poll, 53% of Americans say someone in their household or immediate family has received a mental health diagnosis. Mental Health America found that major depression affects 8% of U.S. adults (21 million people) and that 5% of the adult population (12.8 million people) reported experiencing serious thoughts of suicide. Meanwhile, it’s estimated that at least 30% of people with major depressive disorder experience TRD.
This reality is why emerging treatments like ketamine therapy matter. Dr. Prueitt and his team focus on delivering ketamine intravenously in an environment that allows for close coordination between specialists and a patient’s existing mental health providers. By creating an approach that encompasses safety and effectiveness, Silver Hill is helping people who haven’t found relief through other treatments resume the lives they wish to live.
A Structured Approach to Treatment
Ketamine works through different neural pathways than traditional antidepressants, which primarily focus on increasing the availability of serotonin or norepinephrine in the brain to enhance mood regulation. Instead, ketamine targets the glutamatergic system to release glutamate and stimulate pathways that promote synaptic growth and neuroplasticity.
This approach is a promising alternative for individuals with TRD. A study by the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) found that after six weeks of repeated ketamine infusions, 26% of patients exhibited a 50% improvement in their score on the PHQ-9, a questionnaire used to screen for depression.
Silver Hill’s Ketamine Treatment Program was designed to achieve results like these. It welcomes
individuals 18 and older who have TRD and have experienced moderate to severe unipolar or bipolar depression. A comprehensive screening process helps identify patients who are most likely to benefit from ketamine therapy and ensures their safety throughout the course of treatment.
Patients begin with eight intravenous (IV) ketamine infusions over four weeks. If they have a significant, positive response, they then undergo weekly treatments for another four weeks before the frequency is adjusted based on their progress. Throughout the process, medical professionals oversee each session and monitor vital signs.
This carefully structured treatment protocol takes place in an environment specifically designed for healing and comfort. Silver Hill’s ketamine center is a warm, supportive setting, with reclining chairs, noise-canceling headphones, and eye masks that create optimal therapeutic conditions.
Professional oversight also reduces the risks associated with at-home treatments. Additionally, a clinician-administered IV infusion allows for ketamine dosing that is more precise and more flexible when compared to in-office esketamine nasal spray treatment.
In addition, Silver Hill’s psychiatric specialists collaborate closely with a patient’s existing mental health provider who remains integral to the treatment process. By sharing insights and coordinating care, this approach enhances the patient’s overall treatment experience while supporting the referring provider’s ongoing role in the journey.
The program is structured to emphasize accessibility for outpatients as well as those in Silver Hill’s residential or inpatient programs. This flexibility helps ensure a patient receives appropriate support regardless of their treatment status.
Care Through Clinical Excellence
As research continues to uncover why and how ketamine benefits people experiencing depression, Silver Hill’s Ketamine Treatment Program will continue to offer the most advanced and effective care. Additional psychotherapy models are being explored and incorporated into the treatment protocol to expose each person to the full spectrum of therapeutic support during their recovery.
If you struggle with depression, or if you work with patients who haven’t found relief through other treatments, Silver Hill’s Ketamine Treatment Program offers a path forward. To learn more about ketamine treatment at Silver Hill, contact the admissions team at 866-542-4455.