Why Are American Teenage Behavioral Hospitals Lacking SO Hard?

     

Why Are American Teenage Behavioral Hospitals Lacking SO Hard?

    The million dollar question: What is America doing wrong this time? I guess we are going to have to get a little more specific here. What is America doing wrong with their behavioral hospitals for teens?

Nothing to see here. Just a broken country.

      The United States behavioral health centers for teenagers is often a short term solution following a major crisis, while European teenage behavioral health centers tend to focus on over-all, continuous care. With some adjustments to the United States system, it could be much more successful. 

    Teens are only sent to a behavioral hospital following a major mental health crisis. No to little help is provided leading up to said crisis. The system is largely reactive rather than preventative. The signs are unimportant and ignored until someone is in crisis. 

    Lack of self care is disgusting until someone attempts to take their life. Lack of interest in activity is lazy until someone attempts to take their life. Lack of attendance in social events is weird and makes you a bad friend until someone attempts to take their life. The signs are being ignored. Help is only important following a crisis. 

    Once they are in the inpatient hospital, the goal is to get them out. Long term care is barely relevant. The average length of stay in the United States following such a major crisis is between 7-13 days. Someone could have attempted their own life (which any sign leading up to this horrible situation was ignored) and then with 1-2 weeks it is decided that they are rehabilitated and all good to return to regular life. Are you actually kidding me? 

Why WOULDN'T 2 weeks of this cure you?

    Another question you may have may involve something along the lines of: What even happens in these places? Well, from firsthand experience, relatively fuck all. Monotonous routine, three shitty meals, and generalized group therapy with a person who doesn't know anything about any of us. The hours spent looking at the walls wishing I never asked for help will never be recovered.

    You don't have to believe me though. Anyone who has been through it has similar thoughts. This article talks about every issue. Lack of personalized care, healthy food, and outdoor activities were all reported. The disregard for continuity of care following the inpatient stay was also noted. It was described as difficult and the staff was said to be unhelpful in regards to finding placements in programs for follow up care.

    So apparently we should take the mentally ill, stuff them inside with little freedoms or care for about 1-2 weeks, then send them on their merry way and call it a day. Yeah, no. I can't really think of anything LESS helpful. So what is Europe doing and what should we steal from them?

    Let's start off strong with the fact that a study was done on the care inside of European treatment centers. They measured patient satisfaction. Let me get this right. They asked the patient what was good and not so good to improve and catered towards mentally ill people's needs. Asking the people receiving the care what works and doesn't work. Strong start.

POV: Europe asking patients how they can improve

    

    A second good idea from Europe right here. People with personal experience now play a role. They are the ones providing personal conversation, connection, and relatability for the struggling patients. No one better to help than someone who understands how it feels and knows what helped them. It is social AND it is actually helpful.  

    And just one more good idea by Europe. The same people are responsible for a patient's inpatient and outpatient care. Someone who knows the patient's situation, background, history, and treatment plan is responsible for following up with their treatment plan. This continuity of care is helpful for both better treatment and more efficient treatment. Nothing I hated more than trying to explain my story and struggles to roughly 10 different people. No thanks. 

Real image of me telling the same story 10 times to 10 different people.

   

 Here is some food for thought. If you are finding yourself thinking that this would require a lot of time, money, and is kind of unnecessary, then you are dead wrong and probably rather insensitive. Well, it will require a good chunk of time and money, but it is completely necessary. Between 2007 and 2021, death by suicide for those of ages 10-24 increased by 62%. Our next generation, is at risk. America needs a better mental health rehabilitation system for our youth. The time and money will save the lives of our struggling youth and help build them a better future. Or a future in general. 

    America needs to remodel their mental health care systems. The system isn't working. Kids, teenagers, and young adults are dying. We need earlier intervention, personalized care, overall more effective and holistic care, and continuity of care. That may not be everything, but it's a damn good place to start. Thank you Europe for leading by example.