Adolescent Behavioral Health

Pardee ABH will care for adolescents ages 13-17 who are experiencing a mental health crisis and need a safe, structured place to heal. A crisis can be different for everyone, but for some adolescents and families, our facility may be useful if an adolescent is:

• Having thoughts of harming themselves or others
• Experiencing intense mood changes or difficulty knowing what’s real (psychosis)
• Hurting themselves physically (self-harm)
• Severely agitated, angry, or exhibiting unsafe behavior
• Experiencing strong reactions to trauma or stressful events
• Needing round-the-clock supervision to stay safe

Our goal is to connect with adolescents where they are, keep them safe, and help them begin to heal and feel more in control.

Partnering with the UNC School of Medicine, Pardee ABH will be able to offer patient-centered treatments and therapies in a safe, supportive environment.

The facility will offer a full range of evidence-based, trauma-informed inpatient care to help adolescents feel safe, supported, and understood, including:

• Telehealth
• 24/7 nursing and psychiatric support
• Medication evaluation and management
• Individual, group, and family therapy
• Crisis support and behavioral coaching
• Trauma-informed care, Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
• Substance use support
• Art, music, and recreational activities to help with healing
• Schoolwork support and planning for a smooth return to school

Pardee ABH will offer specialized care and treatment for adolescents ages 13-17 who need additional support for their mental and emotional health. If a patient turns 18 while they are in our care and continued support is needed, we will work with their family to transition them smoothly into our adult inpatient program, PATHS at Pardee.

Some families may need a different type of care than we are able to provide, or their adolescent may be experiencing additional issues that fall outside Pardee ABH’s scope. If we are not the appropriate facility for your child, our team will help connect families to the right level of care.

Examples of circumstances may include:

• Children who are younger than 13 or older than 17
• Mental health needs that are stable and do not require intensive support
• Serious medical issues that need specialized hospital care
• Active contagious illnesses that could put others at risk
• Significant developmental needs that we are not equipped to support in this setting
• Extremely unsafe behavior that cannot be safely managed

We want every adolescent who enters Pardee ABH to be safe, feel more stable, and have the tools they need to remain healthy long after they leave. Together, we focus on:

• Preventing harm and keeping everyone safe
• Reducing crisis symptoms and finding calm
• Understanding what led to the crisis
• Building coping skills and resilience
• Supporting and involving families
• Creating a plan for a safe return to home, school, and community

The typical length of stay will range from 5 to 10 days, depending on clinical progress, treatment goals, and discharge planning needs.

The ABH care team will include psychiatrists based at UNC Health’s flagship hospital in Chapel Hill, who will provide clinical guidance, and through secure virtual care options, work alongside specially trained therapists, social workers, nurses and behavioral health technicians at our facility.

A care plan will be developed and implemented by a multidisciplinary team led by a psychiatrist. Depending on the care plan and level of treatment needed, the team may include:

• Psychiatrists
• Psychologists
• Nurse practitioners
• Licensed clinical social workers
• Licensed mental health clinicians
• Registered nurses
• Recreational, art, and music therapists
• Behavioral health technicians
• Specially trained safety staff

Pardee’s security and environmental services teams maintain a safe, comfortable environment at ABH.

The adolescent’s family is also an important member of their care team. The care plan will include opportunities for families to be involved and become more educated about how best to help the adolescent while they are in our facility and when they leave.

As adolescents transition out of Pardee ABH, we will work to identify the appropriate step-down options to help ensure a smooth, sustainable long-term recovery for each individual.

Our case management team assists with scheduling follow-up appointments and linking families to community-based resources. Our clinical and administrative teammates have joined efforts with public health and community groups such as the Henderson County Behavioral Health Coalition, Blue Ridge Behavioral Health, and other providers to collaborate and support the needs of young people and families in our community.

An adolescent will not have to be an existing Pardee patient to be admitted to Pardee ABH.

There will be multiple avenues for a referral for an adolescent in crisis, including:

• Emergency Department
• Psychiatrists, psychologists, or therapists
• Pediatricians or primary care providers
• School counselors and school social workers
• Mobile crisis teams
• Juvenile justice
• Child welfare services

Pardee ABH is here for our community. We do not want a financial concern to prevent an adolescent in need from seeking and receiving care. We will have an array of options that can be explored to cover the cost of services, including private insurance agreements, charity care, Medicaid, and payment plans.

UNC Health Pardee contracts with most health insurance companies. Our team can work with patients to determine if care will be covered by insurance. Please contact Pardee’s financial services department for verification of specific coverage.

If a patient does not have insurance, our team can also screen for financial assistance options like Medicaid and Pardee’s Charity Care program and provide an estimate.

If a patient does not qualify for any of the mentioned programs, we have payment plans available and financial counselors who can help with any questions.