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Coming up...
Parent Support Group meets August 20th
Judge Oscar Kazen to
provide legal guidance for caregivers of mentally ill children
CLICK
HERE FOR DETAILS
| It's
easy for parents to recognize when a child has a high fever. A
child's mental health problems may be more difficult to identify.
Mental health problems can't always be seen. But the symptoms can be
recognized.
Mental health problems affect one in every five children at any given time. About 1 in every 20 young people experience a "serious emotional disturbance" that severely disrupts their ability to function in daily life. These problems are real and painful and can be severe. It's important to find the right services for your child. Some children and families need counseling. Others need medical care, residential care, day treatment, education services, legal assistance, transportation, or case management. Hospitalization in a psychiatric facility is one of a range of available treatment options when a child or adolescent is mentally ill. Parents are naturally concerned and may be frightened and confused when inpatient treatment is recommended for their child. That's why Southwest Mental Health Center's inpatient treatment programs are specifically designed for children and adolescents. Treatment is provided by an interdisciplinary team of psychiatrists, nurses, clinicians and other mental health professionals specially trained to provide the most comprehensive psychiatric evaluations and treatment, based on each child's individual needs.If you have a specific question or concern, please contact Christina Hankins, LMSW, Director of Admissions & Social Services at 210-616-0300 or christina.hankins@smhc.org. About the programs At Southwest Mental Health Center, your child is in the care of experienced and qualified psychiatrists and a skilled, interdisciplinary team of specialists to ensure quality, comprehensive care. Your child’s team members work together to plan treatment methods, monitor effectiveness and evaluate a patient's progress. Children and adolescents also receive a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation by a psychiatrist who may or may not prescribe medication. Our psychiatrists work with your child's outpatient therapist to conduct an assessment to evaluate pre-existing prescriptions. This team approach means your physicians, nurses, therapists and many others involved with the care of your child are together under one roof, which improves interaction and exchange of information and ideas. The team also coordinates with your child's outpatient physician for intake, discharge, and aftercare plans. The result is better patient care and treatment. Southwest Mental Health Center is a JCAHO-accredited child and adolescent psychiatric inpatient facility, licensed by the Texas Department of Health. When you and your child first arrive You'll be greeted by a member of the SMHC team, all of whom are trained to handle your child's needs. To facilitate intake, please bring proof of guardianship, health insurance documentation forms, medical records and any medication your child is taking. Children wear their own clothes on the unit; so if possible, please bring sleepwear, a change of clothes, and other necessary items. Visiting your child Parents and guardians may visit from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., and 4:00 to 7:30 p.m. seven days a week. The only people who may visit with your children are family members or friends with previous authorization from a guardian. Visitors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. We promote a relaxed, caring environment. Children and adolescents wear their own clothes and may have stuffed animals, books, or pictures of friends and family. You can feel free to bring them these or any of their other favorite keepsakes. For the safety of your child and other patients, please do not bring your child any of the following items:
Regardless of what you bring, please bear in mind that
the Center cannot be responsible for any items left in your child's
room. Insurance
Blue
Cross/Blue Shield of Texas Interface
EAP, Inc.
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