Everyone deserves care and support for their mental health. Your teen may be at a difficult time in their life, or maybe they’ve had continuous mental health concerns that have recently become more prevalent. When your teenager is having mental health challenges, such as depression symptoms, getting them the right treatment now can benefit them for many years in the future.

Major depressive disorder is commonly referred to as depression. It affects 20.1% of the U.S. population between the ages of 12 and 17. That means that approximately 5 million teenagers have experienced an episode of depressive symptoms.

When a teen has untreated depression, the symptoms can worsen. It can have a significant impact on their current and future mental, emotional and behavioral health. It can be difficult for them to continue with their daily routines and maintain healthy relationships. Fortunately, with the right treatment, they can learn to manage their symptoms and improve their overall quality of life. 

Read on to learn about what you can expect when you seek mental health treatment for your teen with depression.

What to expect from mental health treatment for teens with depression

You may recognize signs of persistent mental health challenges in your teen, such as depression, or they might talk to you about the challenges themselves. Connecting them with the right support can make a significant difference.Encourage your teen to discuss their own thoughts and feelings with their provider. And you should also talk to their doctor about your concerns. They can point you in the right direction for treatment that will work best for your teen’s symptoms.

Depression is often treated with a combination of therapy and medication. However, there are different treatment approaches. It’s important to note that a teen may only be prescribed with a medication prescription if they have moderate to severe symptoms. Medication is also used to help teens who are unable to alleviate symptoms on their own or through other types of treatment.

Here’s what different types of mental health treatment for a teen with depression may look like:

• Regular outpatient therapy sessions — Therapy is often a pillar of every treatment plan. By talking to a psychotherapist on a weekly or biweekly basis, your teen can gain a better understanding of their symptoms. They can also learn how it’s affecting their quality of life and gain the skills needed to manage their depression. Their therapist may use a common therapeutic approach called cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). It focuses on adjusting the relationship between a person’s thought, emotional and behavioral patterns. CBT is evidence based, meaning it has been scientifically tested and shown to be effective in treating adolescent depression.
  

• Medication — There are several different medications that may be prescribed to a teen with severe depression symptoms. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are common. Both work to improve your teen’s mood by boosting the amount of serotonin in their brain. Serotonin is a hormone that plays a role in mood regulation. SNRIs also boost norepinephrine, which helps with concentration and energy.
• Support group — While talking to a therapist can be beneficial for teens with depression, so can talking to other teens who are experiencing similar challenges. That’s why support groups are a commonly recommended type of treatment. It allows them to open up about their mental health challenges in a judgment-free place. They’re surrounded by people who can relate to what they’re going through. They can also learn strategies that have been effective for others.
• Self-care — Health care providers are likely to recommend self-care to teens with depression alongside other treatment options. Self-care means taking the time to focus on improving their mental health. It can come in many forms. For example, practicing gratitude can fight against the hopeless feelings that come from depression. Mindfulness can help your teen be mentally present in the moment to reduce stress.
• Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) — If your teen needs a more intensive level of care beyond the previous options, they may benefit from an IOP. An Intensive Outpatient Program provides structured programming, helping teens gain a better understanding of their mental health challenges and develop the skills needed to alleviate them. It involves one-on-one, family and group therapy sessions with three to six hours of programming per day.
• Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) — Teens with severe depression symptoms can find a high level of mental health care and behavioral support through a PHP. It allows them to stay at a facility during the day for six to seven hours of intensive care programming and therapy sessions while returning home each night. If their symptoms are having a significant impact on their day-to-day life, then a Partial Hospitalization Program may be the way to go.
• Residential Treatment Center (RTC) — A complete change of scenery with structured routines can help many teens with depression. They’re able to focus solely on improving their mental health. A Residential Treatment Center provides a safe, homelike environment for 24/7 behavioral support. Along with a schedule of programs and therapy, an RTC also involves movement opportunities, outings and schoolwork led by certified teachers.

At Lightfully Teen, we see the benefit in every type of treatment for a teen with depression. The goal is to make a treatment plan that’s as personalized as possible. We consider their symptoms, challenges and mental health goals. We have an IOP, PHP and RTC as levels of care for teens with depression. We provide more intensive support beyond regular therapy sessions, self-care and medication.

Change is possible. When you’re ready to take the first step to help your teen with depression, reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team. We’ll take the next steps together, toward the fullest, brightest version of them.