The transition from adolescence to young adulthood can be a tumultuous and challenging time for many individuals. This phase of life is marked by significant changes, including increased independence, academic or career pressures, and social and emotional challenges. While this period of growth and self-discovery can be exciting, it can also bring about mental health struggles that require attention and support.
If you are a parent of a young adult who is struggling severely with their mental health and is in need of stabilization before they begin any sort of intensive residential living for young adults, a crisis stabilization program may be the best option for both you and your child.
Keep reading to learn more about mental health stabilizing as well as the young adult stabilization program we offer at Innercept.
What is Mental Health Stabilization?
Mental health stabilization is a process designed to help young adults manage and improve their mental health when facing emotional, psychological, or behavioral challenges. It involves a combination of therapeutic interventions, support systems, and strategies aimed at providing stability and equipping individuals with the tools to cope with life’s demands.
Mental health stabilization programs are often completed before beginning a mental health treatment program such as intensive residential treatment. In some instances though, treatment professionals may recommend a person pause their treatment and enter into mental health stabilization before resuming standard treatment.
What Does Mental Health Stabilization Entail?
Mental health stabilization involves a number of components in order to help young adults in need get to a point where they can begin residential mental health treatment.
Below are some of the components used during mental health stabilization:
- Assessment and Diagnosis: As is the case with any sort of treatment program, the first step is a clinical assessment. This step is crucial in understanding the specific challenges they are facing.
- Individualized Treatment Plans: Based on the assessment, mental health professionals create personalized treatment plans that cater to the young adult’s unique needs and circumstances. These plans often involve a combination of therapy, medication, and lifestyle adjustments.
- Therapeutic Interventions: Therapy plays a central role in mental health stabilization. Young adults may engage in individual therapy, group therapy, or family therapy, depending on their situation. Therapeutic interventions help individuals develop coping strategies, improve self-awareness, and build resilience.
- Medication Management: In some cases, medication may be prescribed to manage symptoms and support the stabilization process. Any medication that is recommended will be administered under the supervision of trained treatment and/or medical professionals.
- Support Systems: Building a strong support network is essential for mental health stabilization. This network may include family, friends, mentors, and support groups. Social support can significantly impact a young adult’s recovery.
- Education and Skill Development: Young adults often benefit from learning new skills and strategies to navigate challenges effectively. This can include stress management, communication skills, and problem-solving techniques.
- Monitoring and Progress Assessment: Regular check-ins with mental health professionals help track progress and make necessary adjustments to the treatment plan. Monitoring ensures that the stabilization process remains on course. It also helps treatment professionals know when it’s time to transition to a standard inpatient treatment program.
How Do I Know If My Child Needs Mental Health Stabilization?
As parents, we want what is best for our kids no matter how old they are. That includes getting them the help they need when it comes to any sort of mental health struggles.
When it comes to teens and young adults in particular, they may try and hide their struggles from their parents. That’s why it is so important to know some of the signs and symptoms to look out for that may indicate the need for mental health stabilization.
Below are some identifiers that may be a sign that your child is in need of mental health stabilization:
- Persistent Emotional Distress: If your child consistently shows signs of extreme sadness, anxiety, anger, or mood swings that are severe enough that they interfere with their daily life, it may be an indication that mental health support is needed.
- Social Withdrawl: If your child has traditionally been a social person but has recently started isolating themselves or losing interest in social activities, it may be a sign that they are struggling with their mental health.
- School or Work Problems: A sudden and drastic decline in school or at work may also be a sign of a larger emotional and/or psychological issue, especially if there is no previous history of those types of struggles.
- Substance Abuse: Substance abuse is often a major red flag when it comes to mental health struggles. Drugs and alcohol are often used as coping mechanisms to deal with mental health issues as a form of self-medication.
- Physical Symptoms: Physical complaints such as headaches, stomachaches, or unexplained aches and pains can sometimes be related to underlying mental health issues.
It’s important to note that these are just a few examples of signs that mental health stabilization may be necessary. If you suspect your child may be in need of mental health stabilization, it’s important to reach out to a treatment professional right away.
Benefits of Mental Health Stabilization
Mental health stabilization can provide a wide range of benefits for young adults and their families. These benefits extend beyond just symptom management and can positively impact various aspects of a person’s life.
Some of the biggest benefits of mental health stabilization include:
- Improved quality of life
- Enhanced coping skills
- Stronger relationships
- Academic and work success
- Reduced risk of relapse
- Increased self-esteem
- Emotional regulation
- Empowerment
- Family well-being
FAQs
Q: Where is the young adult stabilization environment located?
A: The setting is geographically distant from other Innercept program locations.
Q: Are electronics available during stabilization?
A: Our stabilization program is low stimulus, so electronics are generally not allowed.
Q: What is support like during the stabilization process?
A: 24-hour staff is awake, present, and available to the resident.
Q: Are therapist and physician meetings more frequent during stabilization?
A: Yes. Progress reports from these sessions are communicated to parents.
Q: What is the attendance policy of outside activities during stabilization?
A: School or work may or may not be temporarily suspended during stabilization.
Mental Help Stabilization at Innercept
Learning to manage the conflicts and cope with the stresses that accompany everyday life is an essential part of living productively throughout adulthood. Unique to residential treatment centers as a whole, our young-adult stabilization environment provides extra support to newly admitted individuals who come from psychiatric hospital settings or those experiencing personal crises. One of the therapeutic techniques we utilize in this context is art therapy.
This safe, low-stimulus setting helps prevent additional hospitalizations and mitigate the severity of stressful events, such as an interruption of necessary medications or the extremes of a mood episode. Residents can recover and begin to reflect on the event under the supervision of our compassionate 24-hour awake professionals. By collaborating together, we can help residents build a lifelong foundation of defining and applying more effective ways of resolving conflict, stress, and other everyday problems.
Crisis recovery in stabilization occurs in the following three phases:
Initial Stabilization
The resident focuses on recovering from the emotional upheaval of the current crisis situation. In this phase, the individual is encouraged to self-soothe through quiet contemplation, relaxation techniques, reading, and/or other healthy coping methods that may have been successful for them in the past.
Problem Identification
During this phase, the resident identifies what went wrong, as well as his or her role in the crisis with an emphasis on self-accountability. While in this calm setting and temporarily removed from the situation, the resident is encouraged to examine personal state of mind and feelings leading up to the crisis.
Creating a Treatment Plan
Prior to returning to, or starting, regular treatment in the young-adult program, individuals work closely with their therapists and doctors to create a personalized plan and set goals for maintaining safety and effective functioning. A commitment to follow this plan usually signals readiness to return to, or begin, their usual programming.
Mental Health Stabilization Starts with a Crisis Stabilization Program
Navigating the challenges of young adulthood can be overwhelming, especially when mental health issues come into play. Mental health stabilization is a valuable resource that can help young adults address their emotional, psychological, and behavioral challenges effectively. By recognizing the signs, seeking professional guidance, and committing to the process, young adults can unlock numerous benefits that contribute to a happier, healthier, and more fulfilling life.
If you or a loved one is struggling mentally and could benefit from mental health stabilization, at Innercept, we are here to help. We treat a number of mental health conditions such as:
- OCD
- PTSD
- Anxiety
- Depression
- ADD/ADHD
- Bipolar I & II
- Schizophrenia
- Panic disorder
- Personality disorders
- Technology and screen addiction
- Somatoform disorders
- Eating disorders
- Anger problems
Reach out to our facility today to learn more about our mental health treatment programs, including crisis and mental health stabilization.