At BryLin Hospital, our dedicated child and teen crisis mental health program provides comprehensive assessments, crisis stabilization, and compassionate care for children aged 5-17 experiencing acute emotional, mood, or thought disorders.
Short-term psychiatric hospitalization may be required when a child’s mental health symptoms significantly disrupt their daily life, pose a safety risk to themselves or others, or hinder their ability to function at home or school.
Our goal is to create a structured, supportive environment with 24/7 care to stabilize mental health crises. Treatment often includes medication management, individual and group therapy, and active family involvement.
We tailor care to meet the unique needs of each child or teen, using specialized programming that prioritizes crisis intervention and fosters mental wellness. Our aim is to help children and families navigate difficult times and develop lasting resilience.
Therapeutic interventions are tailored to specific mental health concerns. These may include:
- medical evaluation
- individual therapy
- group therapy
- family therapy
- art therapy
- medication management
- psychoeducation
- and structured activities designed to promote coping skills and emotional regulation.
At the same time, our treatment team collaborates with the child’s family and community resources to develop a personalized discharge plan. This plan takes into account the child’s progress, ongoing needs, and goals for continued mental health support.
Discharge plans may involve the following:
- recommendations for outpatient therapy
- referrals to community mental health services
- follow-up appointments with psychiatrists or therapists
- and strategies for ongoing self-care.
The goal of the discharge plan is to ensure a smooth transition and continuity of care for the child. By providing appropriate resources and support, we strive to empower children and their families to maintain their mental wellness beyond their hospital stay.
Pet Therapy:
BryLin’s mental health crisis care program for kids uses the volunteer organization Therapy Dogs International (TDI) to provide pet visits during the day, evenings and weekends at BryLin Hospital.
- Benefits of Pet Therapy may include:
- assisting with sadness, depression, anxiety, loneliness, and social withdraw
- elicit calmness or energy
- offer opportunities for socialization
- and provides a medium for physical touch and affection.
Peer Advocacy
Our peer advocates assist individuals participating in the program. They help to empower and support both youth and their families.
Family Participation
Because mental illness is not a solitary disease, the family and other social systems within which the individual functions are also included in treatment. Family members are involved in the assessment process. Individual and family sessions are scheduled to provide education related to the care recipient’s needs.
Education
Our education coordinator is an active member of the treatment team. In addition to developing tutorial programs based on the care recipient’s school curriculum, our teacher communicates with the care recipients’ school staff to review the patient’s educational progress and to make recommendations.
**See our Frequently Asked Questions page for more information on what you can expect and what to pack (and not pack) for a hospital stay.
Are You Struggling with Mental Illness/Your Mental Health?
If you’re struggling with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, or other mental illness…. You’re not alone. Many people have feelings or experiences like yours at some point in their lives. When such experiences become severe, some people need to reach out for help and treatment.
Call BryLin to speak with a licensed professional at (716) 886-8200 or Contact Us Today!
With HELP, There’s HOPE℠
