Depression Treatment Center & Clinic in North Mississippi

Learn more about depression treatment at Millcreek of Pontotoc

Depression is a serious mental health disorder that ultimately takes the joy out of a child or teen’s life. This disorder is associated with feelings of sadness and irritability that persist and begin to interfere with a child or teen’s ability to function. Depression is a challenging disorder and each child or teen will experience a wide range of emotions and symptoms. However, when properly managed, depression will respond well to treatment. The road to recovery may be a long and bumpy one, so you will have to be patient, but it will be worth it in the end.

At Millcreek of Pontotoc, a behavioral disorders treatment clinic in North Mississippi, we recognize the unique, and often overwhelming, challenges that come with having a child who is struggling with depression. Remaining sensitive to the needs of this population of children and teens, we offer specialized depression treatment that is tailored to meet the individual needs of each child or teen who is entrusted into our care. Situated on 18 beautifully shaded acres of serene landscape, our 51-bed residential depression treatment center provides caring and compassionate depression treatment for children and teens between the ages of 6 and 20 who are struggling with an array of mental, emotional, and/or behavioral concerns. In our safe and secure depression treatment clinic, the behavioral and educational needs of emotionally disturbed children and teens can be addressed while they develop the skills needed to manage their symptoms, overcome any negative thought patterns, and take the first step towards a better future.

Helping your child or teen get treatment

If you are worried about your child and think that they may be suffering with depression, there are a number of things that you can do. First, learn about the symptoms of this disorder so that you will be able to spot them in your child or teen and get them professional help. Also, take the time to talk to your child, check in with them to see how they are feeling. Listen to what your child has to say and be sure to reassure them that you are there to support them no matter what. Here are some signs that may indicate the presence of depression in your child or teen:

• Is sad, irritable, or withdrawn most of the time
• Does not get pleasure from things they once enjoyed
• Has lost or gained weight
• Sleeps too much or not enough
• Has trouble concentrating or making decisions
• Talks about death or suicide

Why consider treatment for depression at Millcreek of Pontotoc in North Mississippi

When depressed and denied proper treatment, a child or teen may lose friends, fall behind at school, and may be more likely to engage in risky behaviors. Even worse, if the symptoms of depression remain untreated, it can lead to the development of suicidal thoughts, which can end with a them taking their own life. Furthermore, children and teens with depression are more likely to complain of physical ailments, such as muscle aches, bone pain, and chronic stomachaches. Additionally, depression can lead to drug and alcohol abuse, self-hatred, self-harming behaviors, and violence.

Residential depression treatment clinics have proven to be effective in helping children and teens work through their emotional turmoil and overcome their depression. In addition to having any potential medication needs met, by taking part in a residential depression treatment center, children and teens are able to engage in a number of different therapeutic programs that can help them cope with their symptoms. They also have the opportunity to gain the additional support of peers who may be facing similar struggles. This shows them that they are not alone and that others struggle with depression as well. With the combination of all of the services offered in a residential depression treatment clinic, your child or teen can get their life back.

Millcreek of Pontotoc’s treatment philosophy and benefits

At Millcreek of Pontotoc, a depression treatment clinic in North Mississippi, we are dedicated to helping children and teens lead healthier, more productive lives. By using a multidisciplinary treatment team approach to care, we are able to afford our patients comprehensive depression treatment plans that integrate their specific developmental, emotional, behavioral, and educational needs into their individualized plans of action for receiving thorough care. All children and teens in our depression treatment center benefit from having their own treatment teams comprised of psychiatrists, clinical therapists, nurses, teachers, and other healthcare professionals who formulate their treatment plans in conjunction with parents or guardians. When your child or teen comes to Millcreek of Pontotoc for treatment, you can rest assured that they will be provided with the most optimal level of care possible in order to ensure that they leave treatment feeling successful, enriched, and fully prepared for the future.

Types of depression treatment offered at Millcreek of Pontotoc in North Mississippi

At Millcreek of Pontotoc, a depression treatment clinic, we understand that sending your child or teen to a residential depression treatment clinic can be difficult and the whole process can be extremely overwhelming. This is why we strive to make the admissions procedure as smooth and easy as possible. In an effort to be extremely accommodating, our highly trained and qualified staff is able to conduct psychosocial assessments over the phone, or in person. Once admitted for care, every child and teen will undergo a thorough evaluation process at our treatment center that includes physical, educational, psychological, and psychiatric assessments. The results will be added to the information provided by the initial psychosocial assessment and developed into a depression treatment plan. This thorough evaluation process allows the staff at our depression treatment clinic in North Mississippi to gain a full understanding of each child’s or teen’s unique developmental, emotional, and educational needs. The various aspects of the therapeutic interventions that your child or teen will be afforded as part of their treatment at our clinic may include the following:

Medication management: The implementation of antidepressant medication is often instrumental in helping to alleviate the symptoms of depression. Each child or teen will meet with a psychiatrist from our treatment center at least once each week in order to ensure the therapeutic effectiveness of any medications that are prescribed, as well as to make any changes that may be necessary.

Individual therapy: Individual therapy sessions at our depression treatment clinic are held for 60 minutes at least once each week and are designed to be a time for children and teens to meet one-on-one with their therapists in order to discuss any concerns they have, to track treatment goals, and to work on personal skills-building. Additional sessions at our clinic can always be added depending on a child’s or teen’s needs or when specifically requested.

Group therapy: Children and teens in our residential depression treatment center participate in 60 minute group therapy sessions five times each week. The majority of the groups are based on a cognitive behavioral therapeutic approach and include discussions on topics such as goal-setting, social skills, peer pressure, aggression, following rules, and bullying. All group topics are tailored to address specific issues that pertain to the children or teens participating in each particular group, so the topics will vary.

Family therapy: At Millcreek of Pontotoc, a depression treatment clinic in North Mississippi, we believe that family involvement is paramount in eliciting successful treatment outcomes. Patients and their families participate in 60 minute family therapy sessions at least twice each month. However, additional family sessions at our clinic can be added at any time depending on a patient’s needs or when requested.

Clinical staffings: Each child or teen in our depression treatment center is provided with two staffings during their first month at Millcreek, and one staffing per month for each subsequent month that they are in our care. These staffings at our center provide patients and their parents or guardians with specified times to meet with their treatment team in order to discuss the child’s or teen’s progress in all areas of treatment, including therapeutically and academically.

Experiential therapy: In order to provide a well-rounded treatment approach, all patients at our depression treatment clinic are provided with additional therapeutic options as part of their treatment plans. These options include play therapy, art therapy, and daily recreational therapy.

Education: While participating in depression treatment in North Mississippi, all patients will attend our fully accredited, onsite therapeutic day school. Classes are held from 8:00am-2:00pm. All classes at our depression treatment clinic taught by teachers who are certified to teach children or teens with special needs, and classes are held in small classrooms with low student-to-teacher ratios in order to ensure that all academic needs are fully addressed.

Continuing care and levels of treatment for depression

At Millcreek of Pontotoc, a depression treatment clinic in North Mississippi, discharge planning starts at the time of admission. Throughout the course of depression treatment, each patient’s progress is closely monitored in order to make sure that all depression treatment goals are successfully reached and that appropriate recommendations for aftercare can be made. All referrals for aftercare services are made based solely on each patient’s present level of functioning at the time of discharge, as well as based on their skills set and the challenges that they may still be facing. Our staff at our treatment center will work with each patient and their family in order to set up any aftercare appointments or services that will help the patient remain successful. Additionally, when it is appropriate, our clinic’s staff can work with teens in getting them set up with part-time jobs following their discharge.

For those families who are still in need of intensive services, but whose children or teens no longer require a residential treatment clinic, we often refer them to MYPAC in order to facilitate wraparound services. MYPAC stands for Mississippi Youth Program Around the Clock and is an intensive wraparound service that provides patients and their families with home therapy services.

Some patients will benefit from transitioning from our residential depression treatment center to our therapeutic day school treatment center as part of their step-down process as they re-integrate back into their home lives. Patients taking part in the therapeutic day school treatment center will receive weekly group and individual therapy sessions, along with monthly family therapy sessions and multidisciplinary treatment team meetings with their psychiatrist.