Adolescent intensive outpatient program opens in Lafayette
The COVID-19 pandemic has magnified the challenges facing adolescents' and children’s mental health, causing altered experiences at home, school, and during in-person social interactions.
In 2021, 20.1% of adolescents (ages 12-17) and 8.3% of adults in the U.S. reported having a major depressive episode in the past year according to a study conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation. The pandemic also highlighted the need for increased access to healthcare and social services as an alarming number of young people struggle with feelings of helplessness, depression, and thoughts of suicide. Until now, the nearest adolescent inpatient treatment facility from Lafayette was in Baton Rouge.
The Vermilion Behavioral Hospital announced the grand opening of its first adolescent intensive outpatient program (IOP) to help young people develop the skills and strategies for a healthier and more productive life. The program is a continuation of the inpatient program and is the first adolescent IOP in Region IV for adolescents ages 12-17.
"I am so excited to provide care to the adolescents, we see a need for these kids and not just therapy but life skills and incorporating families. This program is not just geared towards the kids but we're looking to coordinate with the school systems, coordinate with the outpatient therapist who will work the patient once they leave," said the Director of Admissions, Travis St. Julien. In the near future, he hopes to provide not only adult care and adolescent care but family therapy and family group sessions. "I am excited to see it grow" said Travis.
The adolescent inpatient program is a resource for when an adolescent is admitted into Vermilion’s inpatient treatment program and they are in an acute crisis, such as suicidal, bullying, or fights. The parents bring them in, have them accessed, and admit them for inpatient stabilization.
The adolescents typically stay 5-7 days as inpatients and from there they would be referred to outpatient treatment for two hours a day, and three to four times a week. The adolescent IOP welcomes young people who are transitioning from the inpatient level as well as those who are at the beginning of their healing journeys.
The National Library of Medicine has concluded that early detection, periodical assessment, and intervention in schools with the aid of mental health professionals can help adolescents to cope with different issues and for a healthy transition into adulthood.
The World Health Organization reported "Anxiety and depressive disorders can profoundly affect school attendance and schoolwork. Social withdrawal can exacerbate isolation and loneliness and depression can lead to suicide." Among half of all mental health disorders start by age 14, but most cases are undetected and untreated.
"With this program, we're hoping to give families an avenue to give their child some therapy and education on how to deal with the stressors of life, so they can better deal with bullying, depression and anxiety," said CEO Amy Apperson.
Kids are just small adults. They still have the emotions we do, they just haven't learned how to cope with them or talk about them so they need the tools to prevent long-term and chronic issues as an adult."
The adolescent intensive outpatient program doesn't require a referral from your doctor. You can simply call or walk into the Vermilion Behavioral Hospital for a free assessment. For more information visit: www.acadiavermilion.com
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Vermilion Behavioral opens adolescent intensive outpatient program
