Douglas opens new adolescent day hospital

Mental illnesses have no age limit, they can affect anyone – from children to seniors. Close to 20 percent of children and adolescents have mental health difficulties, and if left untreated their situation may deteriorate affecting their motivation, their functioning and their ability to positively contribute to society. The Douglas Hospital is helping these teens at risk by offering a new service –the Adolescent Day Hospital. This program which is celebrating its opening tomorrow, provides swift intensive treatment to teens who suffer from psychiatric disorders and require additional support to improve their academic and social functioning.

“We are addressing a clear need for those teens in crisis who are not responding to their out-patient services, yet don’t require hospitalization,” says Douglas Medical Chief of the Intensive Intervention Program for adolescents Jean-François Bélair, MD. “A specialized team, including a psychiatrist, psychologist, nurse, educator, social worker, occupational therapist and a nutritionist, will provide continuous and personalized treatment for the adolescents and their families in an open and normalizing setting. This is a much needed service within the psychiatric community that will meet the needs of these patients and thereby reduce the number of full-time hospitalizations.”

The Adolescent Day Hospital: 

• Is for teens between the ages of 13 and 17. 
• Offers services for those who suffer from psychiatric disorders including, psychosis, mood disorders, severe anxiety disorders and eating disorders. 
•  Provides the following services: diagnostic evaluation; group, individual and family therapy; pharmacotherapy (if needed); individualized school program; and reintegration into the community.

“Up to now, the only option available to these teens was to be admitted into the hospital, which can be difficult for both the adolescents and families,” adds Douglas Psychologist and Day Hospital clinical coordinator Karina Béland, Ph.D. “The new Day Hospital provides a specialized intervention program tailored to the needs of the adolescents. It allows the teens to live with their family and at the same time promotes a full integration into their community. “

Join us for the official opening of the Adolescent Day Hospital, meet the clinicians and see the facilities:

When: Thursday, October 6, 2005, 4:00 p.m.

Where: Douglas Hospital
Burland Pavilion, 2nd Floor
6875 LaSalle Blvd., Verdun
 

Information

Florence Meney
Media Relation
Communications and public affairs
Phone: 514-761-6131, ext. 2769
Cell.: 514-835-3236
florence_dot_meney_At_douglas_dot_mcgill_dot_ca