Children's Minnesota expands MH services for teens

Children's Minnesota, the seventh‐largest pediatric health system in the United States, announced an expansion of its behavioral health services by offering a new outpatient mental health program for adolescents ages 12–18, an Aug. 10 news release stated. Launched at the Children's Minnesota Specialty Center — Lakeville, the partial hospital program allows patients to receive intensive mental health care during the day and return home with their families on evenings and weekends. Improving access to intensive treatment comes at a critical time, as the COVID‐19 pandemic has accelerated the mental health crisis for kids and teens. The number of kids and teens arriving at Children's Minnesota emergency departments for mental health–related concerns is projected to increase by over 30% in 2021. The program is an alternative to inpatient hospitalization for teens struggling with emotional and behavioral problems that interfere with their ability to function at home, at school and in the community. The program includes a variety of individual therapy, family therapy, medication management and group therapies, such as music and art therapy. Children's Health is the only health system in Minnesota to provide care exclusively to children, from before birth through young adulthood.