Inpatient psychiatric treatment of adolescents

The increasing number of inpatient psychiatric programs for adolescents is an obvious reflection of the willingness of hospitals to meet the challenge of helping so any teenagers with emotional and behavioral problems. Not only are these hospitals meeting the needs of the community, but they are providing services and training opportunities for many health professionals who are interested in learning to work with this age group. The decision of a hospital to initiate an adolescent program not only depends on an identified community need, but also must have the necessary physical space and attract qualified professionals to develop and manage the program. It is also necessary for the hospital to have a cooperative agreement with the public school system to provide the essential academic component of the program. Working with troubled adolescents is challenging and difficult with its own unique problems and rewards. An adolescent program provides professional satisfaction and opportunity for the teenager to mature, and hope for the family.