Maintaining a consistent home and school environment is important for teens — especially when they’re having trouble with their mental health. Many parents don’t know there are Short-Term Options for both structured outpatient programs and Residential Treatment Centers (RTCs). Short-term mental health treatment facilities give teens some time and space to work through their feelings and plan their next steps.

Mental Health America advocates for short-term Residential Treatment that involves the family and promotes collaboration with community care providers, citing a study that found this type of treatment can be more effective than long-term Residential Treatment.

If you’re considering higher levels of care for your teen, a short-term mental health treatment facility may be a good fit. This article outlines five benefits of short-term mental health treatment for teens.

How does short-term mental health treatment benefit teens?

Short-term treatment enables teens to take a respite from their day-to-day lives so they can focus on their mental health. With a bit of distance, teens can see their challenges, their relationships and themselves more clearly, with a personalized treatment plan with interventions chosen for their condition and treatment goals. Short-term mental health treatment facilities offer a safe environment where teens can approach intense feelings with support from a team of licensed clinicians.

Loneliness and mental health stigma are challenges many young people face in their communities. These programs balance one-on-one treatment with group therapy, so teens connect with peers who are doing similar work.

5 benefits of short-term teen mental health treatment facilities

Of course, your teen will need a long-term plan for continued mental wellness. However, there are times when short-term treatments can make a big difference in a teen’s life. A short-term program can give teens some structure while they work through overwhelming emotions. Or it can allow them to pause to find clarity and get grounded before they escalate into a mental health crisis. For teens who are new to mental health treatment, an immersive short-term program can introduce important concepts and provide some orientation.

The following are five benefits teens can expect from a short-term mental health treatment facility:

• Taking time away from life as usual — When feelings and behaviors are getting in the way of their lives, teens will benefit from a peaceful and supportive environment. A few weeks in a structured program can be enough time to come to terms with life situations and defuse heightened emotions.
• Working with a team of licensed clinicians — The right therapist can make all the difference in a teen’s life, but cycling through outpatient therapists takes up a lot of time. When a teen is nearing a mental health crisis, they can’t wait weeks to find a provider who’s a good fit. In a short-term program, your teen will work with several experienced specialists. There’s a good chance they’ll make at least one good connection.
• Receiving a lot of treatment in a short time frame — Short-term treatments help teens access a higher level of care without staying in a hospital. Each client receives a few different modalities that can provide direction for future treatment.
• Balancing individual treatment and group therapy — Teens receive a lot of individual attention in a short-term program. They also get to learn alongside their peers and have great conversations with others who understand what they’re going through.
• Using time off to make significant change — Just a few weeks of treatment can change a teen’s outlook for the better. It won’t solve all their problems, but a short-term program can help teens appreciate their strengths and find the resilience to keep moving forward.

Explore Lightfully Teen’s Short-Term Option

Your teen’s mental health is important, and a demanding schedule can add stress to an already turbulent time. They may need a break from the hustle to pause and look inward. However, some consistency with school and community life can provide a sense of stability. Short-term treatment is often the beginning of a longer mental health journey. While a short-term program can be a good alternative to a hospital stay or a more extensive long-term program, families should find ongoing outpatient care after treatment to maintain their teen’s mental health.

At Lightfully Teen, we’ve helped plenty of teens find a new perspective on their mental health challenges. We offer a Short-Term Option for each level of Lightfully Teen treatment. This includes our Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and Residential Treatment Centers (RTCs). Short-Term Options start at just two weeks, perfect for breaks from school and times when your teen’s mental health treatment can’t wait.

Do you have questions about short-term mental health treatment facilities for teens? Reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team. We’re standing by and ready to help.