University of New Mexico Childrens – Psychiatric Center

New Mexico University has a pediatric psychiatric facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico that specializes in behavioral health issues in children and youth up to the age of 17. It isn’t your typical psych unit. This facility is built in a cottage style 8-acre campus to take away the institutional feel of treatment. No one is turned away due to financial or life circumstances.

The New Mexico University Children’s Hospital Adolescent Cottages campus has four cottages that can house up to 9 youth in each. The campus has an educational facility, outdoor recreational equipment, a cafeteria, and administration buildings alongside the cottages. There is a high staff to patient ratio of 3 to 1 which allows youth to get the attention and support they need.

Youth who are admitted here spend the first 24-48 hours settling into their living quarters. After they are feeling a little more stable and secure they are able to head outdoors for activities, therapy groups, school, and other program components outside the cottage dorms.

Youth are admitted most often through the emergency department or referral from outpatient services. Each youth’s care plan and length of stay depends on their unique physical and emotional needs.

Much of the programming here is created to help youth control impulses, make healthy decisions, and overcome addictions or self-destructive behaviors.

As a leading educational healthcare institution, this treatment program implements the most effective, evidence-based therapy modules and protocols to help each young person meet their personal treatment and life goals. Experiential and creative therapies such as music, art, and recreational activities with a therapeutic outcome are intertwined with cognitive and dialectical behavioral therapy, and other trauma informed programming.

Treatment includes individual and group therapy. Family is a big part of providing support and reaching success after discharge. They will be included in the care plan when appropriate.

Like most facilities, there are some who love them and some who hate them. Some clients and families have complaints about a lack of proper resources being offered in a timely manner when feeling desperation with their child’s mental health situation.