You need to upgrade your Flash Player to version 10 or newer.

“Ask the Expert”

Lakeland Behavioral Health System is excited to launch and “Ask the Expert” section on our site via a blog. This section will serve as a resource (you may choose to remain anonymous or not) for parents, guardians and kids looking for important information regarding all aspects of mental health issues.

Please feel free to post a question and we’ll answer it directly to your email as well as here on the blog to help others benefit from the the questions and answers from our highly skilled clinical staff.

We’ll also be publishing blog posts on various topics of concerning our youth today including signs of bullying, drug abuse, depression, suicide etc.

We look forward to hearing your questions and recommendations!

2 Responses to “Ask the Expert”

Angela

What if a teenager is a cutter and suicidal? Always feeling down, randomly starts to cry? Their dad kicked them out moved 250 miles away, and doesnt talk to them? They also had to switch schools? Any help? And would they have to be in there for a long time?
And last, is lakeland really strict?

Reply
nate

If the teenager is a currently cutting and/or currently suicidal you need to seek immediate help. My recommendation would be to call 911 or an inpatient psychiatric hospital for evaluation and treatment. If this is a historical issue and not an immediate issue then I would recommend an appointment with an outpatient therapist as soon as possible for evaluation and treatment as it sounds like there is an overwhelming amount of transition and stress in the teenager’s life. If the teenager is already involved in therapy and failing you may want to consider an inpatient or residential setting for further stabilization.

We have programs ranging from inpatient hospitalization (few days to a couple of weeks) and short to long term residential (a few months to a year). The teenager’s length of stay would be dictated by their progress and response to the theraputic interventions.

All of Lakeland’s programs are very structured as we attempt to provide the maximum amount of treatment each and every day. Every patient and resident attends school, therapy and activities from the time they get up in the morning until it is time for bed.

If you think we are in a position to provide services to your family or want to discuss options please contact our admissions team @800-432-1210 and ask for admissions. If you are seeking residential services or have questions regarding this program please call 800-432-1210 and ask for “Sharon with residential services”.

Hope this was helpful,

Nate Duncan, LCSW

Reply

“Ask the Expert”

2 Responses to “Ask the Expert”

Leave a Reply