When it comes to mental health issues, there is no shortage of help in America. Though some problems are still being explored, there are many mental health professionals out there who can help you or someone you love. Dealing with mental health concerns may feel like a constant uphill battle. In particular, if you are experiencing mental health concerns during your teenage years, things may be especially confusing.
Why Do Teens Need Special Mental Health Care?
Teenagers may be very susceptible to mental health concerns. Teenagers are still developing, so they have specific considerations that aren’t at the forefront of adult’s understanding of mental health. For example, teenagers are dealing with an influx of hormones that can make them particularly susceptible to different circumstances. Moreover, they may be dealing with an abundance of ever-changing relationships that can make finding a sense of stability very difficult.
Furthermore, teenagers are still developing their prefrontal cortex. This is the part of the brain that is associated with decision making. Thus, because teenagers are still developing this area, they may be particularly susceptible to mental health concerns. Additionally, they may find themselves making poor decisions that can affect their overall mental health, such as deciding to drink or use drugs.
What is a Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility?
A psychiatric residential treatment facility is a safe and secure environment that is meant for acute stabilization purposes. When someone is dealing with serious or immediate mental health concerns, they may need a temporary intervention to stabilize their mental health and allow them the opportunity to receive prolonged care. For example, if a teen is dealing with a serious issue that requires immediate intervention, they may need the help of a residential treatment facility. This may include any number of issues, such as suicidal ideation, drug or alcohol addiction, or perhaps impulsive and dangerous behavior.
A residential treatment facility will provide housing for your teen and ensure that they are safe. In general, their meals and other needs will be taken care of, and they will receive therapy. Moreover, the staff should ensure that your teen is set up for success upon leaving the residential treatment facility. However, many other aspects should be considered when deciding which treatment facility is the right one for you and your teen. Continue reading to see the top things you should look for when selecting a residential treatment for yourself or the teen in your life.
What to Look for in a Residential Treatment Facility
1) They Prioritize Security: One of the major concerns when it comes to any mental health facility is security. The idea of security can be applied to a couple of different aspects of residential treatment. First of all, patients need to feel secure that all of their mental health information is being kept confidential. This means that no one other than the patient, their mental health professionals, and other designated individuals (including parents or guardians in the case of teens) can know any of the information surrounding the patient’s mental health.
Additionally, the idea of security applies to the overall safety of the facility itself. Because teens who are residents at treatment facilities often have very serious mental health issues, they require regular monitoring. Thus, the residential treatment facility that is housing your teen should be prepared to check in on your teen regularly. Make sure you check with your treatment facility to see how often and in what ways they will be monitoring your teen and ensuring their overall safety.
2) They Have Amenities and Activities: When it comes to mental health, maintaining proper stimulation is essential. When caring for your teen, your facility must be able to provide activities that will pull them out of the negative place they were in before being admitted. Thus, your residential treatment facility should include different activities that allow your teen to expend energy and also stimulate their mind.
Many residential treatment facilities provide their residents with time to engage in a variety of creative activities. These may include music, art, or other recreational activities that can also be highly therapeutic. Also, they should look for ways to provide physical stimulation or order to keep your teen healthy. Physical activity can be beneficial to healing not only the body but also the mind, so keeping your teen moving can be very helpful.
Some residential treatment facilities may offer activities such as swimming or tennis. Additionally, some provide more practical activities such as basketball or ping pong. Moreover, some may provide activities that can be led by staff members, such as yoga. Regardless, it’s important to make sure that they are prioritizing physical activity in some way to make sure that your teen isn’t lacking stimulation while trying to stabilize their mental health.
3) They’re Staffed With Reputable Professionals: This one may seem obvious, but there is a fair amount of mystery surrounding residential treatment facilities, so it’s important to mention it. Residential treatment facilities should always be staffed with credible mental health professionals. This includes therapists and psychiatrists. There should be medical professionals who can prescribe medications if necessary. Furthermore, there should be other staff members who can provide services to keep your teen comfortable and well cared for, such as nurses.
4) They Offer Referrals: Additionally, it’s important to remember that residential treatment facilities are not meant for long-term care. While they can provide that service, the goal of a treatment facility is to provide acute stabilization. Thus, residents often don’t stay longer than a week or two. However, even though their time at a treatment facility may be over, that doesn’t mean that the teens who were in the facility are done receiving care. Instead, they must have a medical professional dedicated to their continued treatment.
Thus, teens should be set up with a reputable therapist, psychiatrist, or another mental health professional upon discharge in order to ensure that they’re receiving the support they need to be successful. While you can work to find a mental health professional suitable for your teen, sometimes this is easier said than done. Therefore, you should rely on your residential treatment facility to provide references to reputable mental health professionals if necessary. That way, you can ensure that your teen receives continued care.
5) They Have Comfortable Facilities: Finally, it’s essential that your teen feels comfortable in their residential treatment facility. If they are not at ease, they will not be able to properly explore the options that are being offered to them and find peace of mind. Thus, a residential treatment facility must be capable of providing comfortable facilities in order to ensure that your teen is at ease.
There should be a designated bedroom set up for your teen (which may or may not be shared with another resident). Additionally, there should be an appropriate dining facility and an area for extracurricular activities. Without proper comfortable facilities, your teen may not be able to relax enough in order to get the most out of the care that is being offered.
Conclusion
Residential treatment facilities can be essential for teens who are struggling with mental health issues. There are many reasons why a teen may require the acute stabilization which comes along with a residential treatment facility. However, regardless of why your teen ends up in a facility, it is imperative that you investigate whether or not that facility is providing appropriate conditions and care for your teen.
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