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A specialist, private mental health inpatient service for adolescents from just 14 years of age is being offered by in Queensland.

Professor James Scott, Director of Youth Services at Ramsay Clinic New Farm, said the new service will improve functioning in young people living with mental illness.

鈥淭he most recent comprehensive study into adolescent mental health disorders found almost one in seven people aged four to 17 鈥� or more than 560,000 Australian children 鈥� have a mental disorder. However, it is well documented that the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the prevalence of these conditions,鈥� Scott said.

The new inpatient service will help adolescents acquire the skills to manage their mental health through group and individual therapy. Young people will develop skills in emotional self-regulation, distress tolerance and behavioural activation.

鈥淭he program will include family involvement and look at enhancing family relationships.

鈥淚t鈥檚 important for adolescents to remain connected to their education, so we will include in the program some time for them to do their schoolwork. One benefit of the pandemic is that these students are experienced in online learning, and we will have staff available to support their learning.

鈥淭he three-week inpatient program is followed by a day program to support patients as they transition back to their usual care. Where required, the adolescent program can also work alongside Ramsay Clinic New Farm鈥檚 existing offerings including a dedicated eating disorder program.鈥�

Ramsay Clinic New Farm CEO Ann Stevens said the clinic will provide purpose-built facilities to support the new program.

鈥淭he new adolescent program will be located in a 12-bed inpatient unit completely separated from the adult population at the facility. We have established areas for group therapy, art therapy, family therapy and a gymnasium.鈥�

The new adolescent program is due to open in November 2022.

Image credit: Supplied