Mental illness and substance abuse problems impact more than 20% of Americans annually. Psychological health problems, such as the signs of OCD, can become challenging to identify and diagnose in young adults and adolescents because the brain continues to develop until your late 20s. Adolescence is also a time when teenagers are developing their sense…
As you seek rehab treatment for your teen, you possibly wonder, “What is a substance induced mood disorder?” This type of mood disorder is one caused by your young person’s substance abuse. Drugs, alcohol and even prescribed medications sometimes cause depression. Many people call this the “crash” of their hangover or morning after their substance…
Have you noticed that your teen has been feeling hopeless or exceedingly negative when talking? Depression in this age group is more common than many parents believe. There are several coping skills for depression. Here’s what you need to know. What Happens If You Do Nothing? Depression isn’t a phase that a teen outgrows. It’s…
By George Livengood – Program Director, Canon House Do you remember moping around the house as a kid and mom saying, “Go outside and play!”? Mom was onto something. There are numerous studies that indicate exercise is helpful in reducing depression. There is no one identifiable reason as to why it works. So let’s look…
By Alyse Rose, MSW, Assistant Program Director, Woodland Hills Millions of Americans are affected by mental illnesses, and although we have made strides in increasing awareness of mental illness, stigmas and stereotypes continue to prevent many from seeking the services they need. It is important to stay updated and aware of facts and stereotypes about…
By Parviz Nafari, MFT, Woodland Hills PHP/IOP As children grow and go through a wide range of physical, mental, and emotional changes, it can become more and more difficult to distinguish between normal teenage “moodiness” and a legitimate mental health concern. Teens are often not able to articulate their thoughts and emotions easily, which makes…
Experiencing a traumatic situation impacts a child’s emotional and mental health. In some cases, a traumatic experience leads to post-traumatic stress disorder and contributes to substance abuse. Psych Central reports that roughly 49 percent of women and 12 percent of men who abuse drugs report sexual abuse, including child sexual abuse. Furthermore, roughly 24 percent…
Destinations For Teens staff are actively getting vaccinated through the county and the hope is to have the majority of our staff vaccinated by the end of January, 2021. Destinations For Teens is likewise committed to educating staff to the benefits of vaccinating and to providing access to the vaccine to all employees. By minimizing the risk of transmission, Destinations For Teens is working hard to protect its clients, families and employees from contracting the COVID-19 virus.
A dedicated COVID-19 task force, including our Medical Director, Clinical Director and our Director of Nursing, provides written materials and verbal education and training to all staff. In the words of Dr. Baback Gabbay, Destinations For Teens Chief Medical Director, the message could not be simpler: "We are committed to the health and well-being of our patients and families. Our staff is committed to the CDC recommend cleaning protocols and have been fortunate to receive the Moderna or Pzifer Covid vaccine this week. Vaccination is important in order to help keep all our employees and the families we serve safe".
In addition to distributing vaccinations, Destinations For Teens facilities has implemented the following procedures for all in-person programs:
• Established a revised screening process for admissions, including questions about recent fevers, travel and mandated negative COVID-19 test results. Anyone who poses a risk to our centers will not be admitted.
• Implement active screening of residents and staff for fever and respiratory symptoms.
• Remind residents to practice social distancing and perform frequent hand hygiene.
• Screen all staff at the beginning of their shift for fever and respiratory symptoms.
• Actively take the staff’s temperature and document absence of shortness of breath, new or change in cough, and sore throat. If they are ill, have them put on a facemask and self-isolate at home.
• Destinations For Teens has revised how they interact with vendors and receiving supplies and equipment, and other non-health care providers (e.g., food delivery, etc.), and take necessary actions to prevent any potential transmission. For example, supply vendors transport supplies to dedicated locations versus inside of facilities.
• In lieu of in-person visits, facilities are offering alternative means of communication for people who would otherwise visit, such as virtual communications (phone, video-communication, etc.)
• Creating/increasing communication to update families, such as advising to not visit.
• Assigning staff as primary contact to families for inbound calls and conduct regular outbound calls to keep families up to date.
