New day treatment program in Maplewood helps young teens struggling with mental health

Anne Carnes knew her 11-year-old son, Thomas, needed help when his depression, anxiety, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) escalated into displays of anger and aggression.

She turned to M Health Fairview’s new Adolescent Day Treatment Program in Maplewood, which serves kids ages 11-14 experiencing moderate to severe mental health diagnoses. In just four weeks, the program helped Thomas learn to better manage his mental health conditions by equipping him with new communication skills and healthy coping strategies.

“The program has helped him immensely,” Anne said. “He does not have as many outbursts of anger. And he is better at communicating with us about his emotions.”

Gene Nisja, program manager of M Health Fairview’s day treatment programs, says the age range that the program serves can be a particularly challenging period. Our program is unique in that it specializes in working specifically with preteens and younger teenagers.

“We wanted to provide something unique to the community that bridges child and adolescent programming and targets the challenges of late elementary- and junior high-aged patients,” he said. “This type of program is an effective intervention to provide an alternative for inpatient care.”

On average, patients spend four weeks in the program; they live at home during it, allowing them to practice the skills they are refining in day-to-day life.

Patients attend the program during the week from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and meet with a care team of psychiatrists, licensed therapists, and skilled nursing staff. It uses approaches like music therapy, art therapy, and group therapy to reduce or relieve symptoms, maintain or improve function, and help integrate patients back into the community. Day treatment can also assist with medication management, aftercare and support planning, skills-building, regulation, and mindfulness. The program also provides education services through a partnership with the local school district.

For the Carnes family, Thomas’ new communication and coping skills have had a tremendous impact. At a recent eye doctor appointment, Thomas verbalized that he didn’t feel safe and was anxious, and Anne was able to help.

“The program opened him up to talk,” she said.

To learn more about the program, please call our mental health and addiction team at 651-309-0211 or 1-800-468-3120.