It was the middle in the night when Allison Hughes, depressed and suicidal,
needed help. Her family turn to Cincinnati Children's
and Allison was admitted to our College Hill Campus for inpatient care
in the division of Psychiatry. Naturally, her mother,
Lisa, was worried, frightened, and not sure what to expect.
"I think it's important to"
"make the child and the parents feel like"
"they're in a safe environment." "Anything with strings on it we don't allow here."
"If she has a different kind of sweatshirt,"
"you know, she's welcome to bring it."
"A place where she can focus on getting better."
The division of Psychiatry at Cincinnati Children's offers
expert assessment and diagnosis of children who are experiencing behavioral,
emotional, or developmental disorders. We offer care on both an inpatient and
outpatient basis.
As well as residential treatment for longer term care.
Our first priority is to stabilize a child who is in crisis.
Treatment is then tailored to each child's individual needs
by a team from our division of child and adolescent psychiatry.
"The College Hill campus especially because it is dedicated solely to mental"
health."
"They have all kinds of"
"specialties involved in the"
"whole health of the patient." We treat kids ages 2 to 18
at three campus locations that offer inpatient treatment.
Your child will be assigned to a unit best suited to his developmental,
psychological, and medical needs. That unit may be in a different location then where
you first arrived for care.
Depending on the number patients on the unit,
your child may have a roommate. Our units are not separated by boys and girls.
Most children stay on an inpatient unit for five to seven days.
Your child's safety during his stay with us is of the utmost importance.
All units are locked.
Your child will receive a special ID number to protect confidentiality.
We provide clothing for your child to wear and do not allow electronics or
other items brought from home.
You will receive a parent handbook that outlines all of the safety measures we employ
and provides details about visiting hours and procedures.
We will ask questions at admission such as who your family doctor is,
what medications your child takes, and whether your child has a case worker or
counselor.
"I think a lot of things that will ease parents when they come through the doors"
"is even the other patients on the unit, they see them smiling, "
"they see them being able to either play in groups or"
"that they're safe." The doctor who cares for your child will perform a thorough
evaluation,
direct his treatment plan, and manage his medications.
Your child's primary nurse will meet with you
and manage your child's inpatient stay. the primary nurse and social worker
will be able to answer most of your questions.
Mental health specialists will keep your child safe as they lead goals groups and
provide one-on-one support.
A Health Unit Coordinator will help to keep things running smoothly.
Your child will have a team of experts here including behavior specialists,
teachers, dietitians, music therapists,
speech and occupational therapists, and chaplains.
"My experience here at College Hill is that and the staff"
"are big hearted and very passionate about what they do"
"from the cafeteria, to maintenance, to service people all the way up to"
"nurses and doctors and social workers. They are have some kind of"
"of passion driving them to want to make an improvement for these kids. "
"I feel like we're treating the whole patient, so"
"there's really a sense of reward"
"that you're having such an impact on a patient's life by,"
"you know, saving their lives." When your child is ready to return home,
we will work with your family and your child's school and primary care provider
to have a plan in place for continued treatment. You've taken the best possible
step by seeking help.
We can help your child learn to manage difficult feelings
and give your child, and you, the skills and resources needed to grow and thrive.
"Don't be scared."
"It's gonna be okay. Just"
"talk and it's gonna be a positive experience"
"you"
"let out what's wrong and if you"
"basically talk to people. If you go through a whole bunch negative stuff,"
"I think it makes you stronger person. 'Cause I look back now and I say"
"I wouldn't change one thing that happened to me."