School’s out for summer; whether your child is in elementary school or college, as a parent, summer is a season to relax with your family, spend time with your kids and take much-needed family vacations. Summer is also a time to get ahead for the new school year and take time to focus on personal weaknesses that have been challenging your son or daughter during the school year. However, it can also be a time where specific mental health issues can be tended to even more than usual. School can provide a consistent schedule, which can be better for children with certain mental illnesses. The potential unstructured nature of the summer can feed into any underlying mental health disorders, including ADHD, anxiety disorders, depression, and eating disorders. Because of this, summer may also be a great time to focus on your child’s mental health by enrolling them in an intensive outpatient (IOP) short-term summer program. Summer mental health and eating disorder treatment programs are a great way to help your teen or adolescent seek the proper treatment for their mental health or eating disorder or make any changes needed without having a negative impact in their regular school schedule.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness website suggests that some people can experience seasonal affective disorder (SAD) during the summer. SAD is characterized by depressive episodes that occur during certain times of the year (typically during the winter). In the case of seasonal affective disorder that is experienced during the summer, symptoms tend to be weight loss, minimal appetite, anxiety, irritability, and insomnia.
So how do you know what to look for when choosing a summer program for your teen?
Accreditation, licensing and certifications
Accreditation is a must for a reputable treatment center. Accreditation is not the same as state licensing since each state varies in their licensing requirements however accreditation is a national standard that is based on industry performance standards and demonstrated results, quality, and value. The Joint Commission and the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) are the two governing bodies that are in charge of accreditation. Credentials and certification indicate the level of training of the treatment team. If clinical staff is not licensed or if the program is not accredited, they may not be able to provide the most effective care.
A cohesive, well-rounded treatment team
The treatment team is the bread and butter of the treatment center. From doctors, nurses, therapists, dietitians to intake counselors and ancillary staff it is important that there is a well-rounded treatment team and that each member plays an important role in your care. Many treatment teams will have a few therapists who specialize in specific psychotherapy approaches. For example, one therapist may specialize in trauma-related care while another therapist may specialize in cognitive behavior therapy. Having a multidisciplinary treatment team with vast knowledge and skill set is a top priority. The staff at Center For Discovery is not only professional but they also are compassionate about their job and their clients.
Treatment success rates/outcomes
Numbers and statistics do not lie. If rehab success rates are quoted then there should be evidence to back up these statistics. Clients should not be afraid to ask for the numbers. Don’t be afraid to ask questions such as “how many clients have been treated and for how long?” “Which treatment methods are the most successful?” Some treatment facilities, including Center For Discovery, hold research as an important aspect of their treatment and actively hold evidence-based treatment studies in order to be a leader in the mental health research community.
Aftercare program
Aftercare is an essential part of treatment, as they help minimize the risk of relapse after they complete their treatment program. Aftercare consists of community support groups, relapse action plans, and an outpatient team consisting of a dietitian, therapist, medical doctor, and psychiatrist. A reputable treatment center should have an aftercare program for their clients that teach how to be successful after treatment.