Depression Treatment Centers For Teens and Adolescents

Depression is often characterized as “feeling low,” gloominess, or sadness. In more extreme cases, depression can also be defined as a mental health condition incorporating intense feelings of despair, worthlessness, and hopelessness. But whether the depression affecting an individual manifests itself as simple moodiness or intense and unrelenting feelings of despair, it can be a major issue that interferes with a teen’s ability to lead a healthy, happy life. That’s when depression treatment centers may be able to help.

At RMC, we define depression as “a debilitating state of sadness that persists with a person over a long period of time.” The degree may vary, but the constant manifestation of this type of emotion concerns us greatly. It is difficult to have the confidence to live independently when you are constantly unhappy, without internal feelings that spark possibility or hope.

The Red Mountain Colorado Student and Depression

Before their arrival, many of Red Mountain Colorado’s teens have experienced long periods of depressive episodes, which either led to self-medication as a means of finding relief or kept them from being confident and comfortable in their own skin. They often take up various negative behaviors to dull the pain, attempting to find some sort of alternative.

Teenage students sometimes arrive at RMC with these poor habits, which are actually symptoms of the depression they have been trying to overcome. The reverse can also be true; some students fell into a pattern of depression after first ceasing other non-working behavior. In these cases, depression can emerge in the aftermath of battling negative behaviors.

Depression can also occur alongside anxiety or other mood issues. In fact, most RMC students have experienced some form of depression prior to their arrival. We therefore expect that most of them will likely deal with this problem on some level after their arrival. Therefore, we view this condition as something we expect and are prepared to address.

What Impact Does Depression Have on the Healing Process?

Red Mountain Colorado students have typically ignored important personal needs related to their physical, emotional, and psychological well being.

Along with treatment, our students are taught self-advocacy, which means standing up for themselves to rebuild those parts their self-esteem. Self-advocacy involves learning to:

• Make positive decisions about one’s own life;
• Protect one’s self;
• Ask for help when needed; and
• Advance one’s life through sound strategy and a well- thought-out design.

Self-advocacy is also seeking and obtaining the knowledge needed to succeed, and taking responsibility for all the decisions that lead to a positive future. The outcome of practicing self-advocacy is a healthy self-image, renewed and robust self-confidence, optimism, and the end of self-sabotaging behaviors.

Types of Depression We Expect to See

“Mild depression,” meaning “a mild state of sadness or feelings of hopelessness,” is actually anything but mild. Depression is painful, and mild depression, though occurring on a smaller scale, is still very real and dangerous. Persistent mild depression is described as a “lowered or depressed interest in normal activities such as friends, school, work, etc.” So-called mild depression can interfere with, or slow down, the process of recovery or gaining the confidence to live happily and independently.

“Debilitating depression” is a completely different matter. It is a dark mood that persists and ultimately interferes with a person’s ability to function in life. Those afflicted with debilitating depression cannot properly engage in their own lives and, if necessary, take the necessary steps in the launch process. It is not unusual for students with long-term issues and other non-working behaviors to face debilitating bouts of depression.

Although depression is not the typical human experience, with those who struggle with trauma and risky behavior, some form of depression is almost inevitable. Therefore, at our depression treatment centers for teens, we are prepared to provide treatment for depression to all of our students.

Our main concern is that depression greatly diminishes a person’s ability to function, and can prevent anyone from staying focused on healing – if it gets to be too much, there is a tendency to give up. Therefore, the effective treatment of depression is one of our highest priorities.

What To Expect

Those who are battling mental health issues and non-working patterns of behavior often emerge from their depression very early in their time with us.

Those who experience this shift during the initial stage of their healing process stop using negative coping behaviors, eat healthy meals, sleep an appropriate amount, exercise, and engage in healthy activities of all kinds. In the face of these new life patterns, the depression will often lift, and hope fills the void. These are the lucky ones and their treatment takes on a more predictable pattern of success.

However, many students experience deeper depression that is rooted in something else. Our depression treatment center supports those who have a more challenging road in coping with depressive states.

Specifically, we address depression through leading our students toward “little victories” which over time lead to a sense of self-esteem and empowerment. These are powerful antidotes to depression.

Participating in adventure activities, engaging in community service, achieving academic success, and other positive experiences help our students to overcome depression in a very powerful way.

Overcoming Depression at Depression Treatment Centers For Teens

RMC goes beyond traditional treatment methods for depression. All of our students engage in a daily mix of therapeutic activities created for the purpose of healing their body, mind, and spirit. These include: adventure therapy, mindfulness, meditation, individual therapy, community groups, community service projects, martial arts training, and vigorous physical activity. Students also eat a healthy diet and are provided opportunities for plenty of rest and sleep. Together, these combined interventions work synergistically, and our students—including those dealing with depression—stay engaged in the healing process and grow at a rapid rate.

At Red Mountain Colorado, we help teens find happiness and meaning in their lives that should come naturally. We help them develop skills to create pathways around life’s difficult corners, and provide them with the tools to turn their innate potential into reality. We are advocates of change and make it our mission to help students put an end to all harmful, self-defeating behaviors. These behaviors are replaced with habits that instill self-esteem, confidence and self-determination.

Those who are afflicted with depression often feel there is a wall between themselves and true happiness. At Red Mountain Colorado, we help our students tear down the wall and experience the joy of healthy living on the other side.