Adolescent Depression Treatment Center & Hospital in Utah

Learn more about adolescent depression treatment at our hospital in Salt Lake City

If you have a teen who seems consistently sad or hopeless, is struggling to maintain healthy relationships, and is slowly becoming more withdrawn, he or she may be suffering from childhood depression. Depression in adolescents is a serious mental health disorder that needs medical assessment and treatment as soon as possible. An adolescent who is depressed will feel lonely, helpless, and worthless on a daily basis. This type of persistent sadness will begin to have a huge impact on his or her ability to function throughout the day. He or she may be unable to complete school work or keep up with responsibilities at home. Fortunately, childhood depression can be effectively treated with proper medication and psychotherapy.

At Highland Ridge Hospital, we understand that our adolescent patients need treatment services that are designed to address the specific concerns of this population. Our caring staff aims to help adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 learn to cope with their mental illness, behavioral health concerns, and addictions in order to enable them to return to their maximum potential. Our adolescent program is dedicated to providing reliable, evidence-based treatment to help youth lead a productive life filled with happiness and joy.

Helping a loved one or family member get treatment for depression

If your child is depressed, you would most likely do anything in the world to take the feelings of sadness and hopelessness away so that he or she does not have to suffer. While that is not possible, there are other things that you can do to help your child. Some tips include:

• Help your child identify coping strategies and when to use them
• Keep your child busy by encouraging exercise through physical activities
• Let your child know that everyone gets sad at times and that having depression does not make him or her a bad or damaged person
• Remind your child that you will always be there to support and love him or her
• Get professional help
• Help your child follow his or her treatment plan and remember to take any medication that is prescribed
• Look out for signs of suicide

Why seek help for adolescent depression

If your child is struggling with depression, it is imperative that you get him or her the help he or she needs immediately in order to avoid the development of any unnecessary complications. During this time, your child is most likely overwhelmed with feelings of sadness and hopelessness. You may have noticed that some days he or she does not want to get out of bed or that he or she is moving at a slowed paced, sort of dragging through the day. Additionally, you may notice that your child no longer seems to enjoy participating in social activities and is slowly withdrawing from those around him or her. While you may also begin to feel hopeless about your child’s future, there are things that can be done to help him or her recover from this terrible disorder.

Inpatient treatment that specializes in treating adolescents has been identified as one of the most successful ways to overcome depression. An inpatient program combines various therapeutic techniques as well as medication management that will target the specific symptoms of this disorder and help your child learn to more effectively cope with various stressors. In an inpatient center, your child will learn adaptive coping skills, strategies for relapse prevention, and ways to manage anxiety properly so that he or she can have a bright future.

Our philosophy & benefits of adolescent depression treatment

Highland Ridge Hospital aims to provide high quality treatment for adolescents, adults, and older adults who are struggling with anxiety disorders. We know that each person who comes to us for help is a unique individual who requires an individualized plan of care that involves innovative treatment approaches for his or her stay with us. At Highland Ridge, we believe the whole is greater than the sum of our parts. We seek to treat each person who comes to us for help with the dignity, respect, compassion, and care they deserve so that they can return to their communities a happy, productive person.

Adolescent depression treatment options available at Highland Ridge Hospital

At Highland Ridge Hospital, we provide individualized treatment plans that are designed to meet the unique needs of each and every patient who comes to us for care. Our multidisciplinary team works together in order to prescribe and provide this specially tailored treatment. In our adolescent program, we treat patients with safe, proven, and reliable evidence-based treatment protocols, which are guided by care, concern, compassion, and competence. At Highland Ridge, we view adolescents as being more than the symptoms of a mental health disorder; they are people who have special needs, wants, desires, and challenges. We approach treatment of adolescent mental health disorders from a holistic, individualized, and caring place. Some of the therapeutic methods we use to treat each patient include some of the following:

Medication management: Antidepressants are most often used in the treatment process for depression in order to help stabilize one’s mood and control the symptoms of this mental health disorder. Each patient is seen on a regular basis to ensure the effectiveness of medication and to make any necessary changes.

Individual therapy: Held on a weekly basis, individual therapy is provided to allow each adolescent to have an opportunity to work one-on-one with a therapist to delve into issues he or she may not be comfortable sharing in group. Sessions may focus on anxiety triggers, relapse prevention, and coping mechanisms.

Group therapy: Group therapy can be immensely helpful for people who have anxiety disorders as it allows them to connect with others who are struggling with similar struggles. Through group therapy, adolescents can work together to grow, learn, and heal. We offer both psychoeducational and process-based groups that may include topics such as anger management, stress reduction, and coping skills.

Family therapy: The family unit is an important part of the recovery process and is integrated into the treatment approach. Family sessions will focus on the ways in which anxiety disorders have impacted the family, while also providing education about anxiety disorders and the treatment process.

As a holistic treatment center, Highland Ridge Hospital aims to offer a variety of experiential treatment options to accompany traditional therapies. These may include:

• Art therapy
• Pet therapy
• Recreation therapy
• Yoga
• Music
• Leisure time
• Meditation
• Craft time
• Movie nights
• Wii games
• Gym & exercise time
• Puzzles, cards, and board games

Continuing care at Highland Ridge

As your child’s time with us draws to an end, our treatment team will work with you and your child to establish an aftercare plan that meets your child’s continued recovery goals. Highland Ridge Hospital is proud to offer a variety of options for care for our community. No matter what level of care you need, Highland Ridge Hospital is ready to help you.

Our location in Midvale, Utah, allows adolescents from the greater SLC area to get treatment for behavioral health issues. Call one of our admissions counselors today for a free, confidential screening to see how Highland Ridge can help you regain a happy, healthy life.