Adolescent Behavioral Inpatient Health Unit
The Adolescent Psychiatry Inpatient and Withdrawal Management/ASAM 3.7 Unit at Denver Health is a 21-bed unit serving children and adolescents aged 12 to 17 years. This unit treats patients with significant emotional and behavioral health issues and is the first in the state of Colorado to provide substance withdrawal management services for adolescents. The Withdrawal Management/ASAM 3.7 Unit offers active withdrawal treatment, assesses the need for Emergency and Involuntary Commitments, and coordinates necessary processes with the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) and the Behavioral Health Administrative Service Organizations (BHASOs) when indicated.
If you are in urgent need of support, please call 911 or 988, or go to the nearest emergency room for help.
Program Details and Amenities
Adolescent inpatients have access to Dell Chromebooks and a full-time/part-time school teacher, allowing them to continue assignments from their home schools. With full-time occupational therapists available, group therapies—including art, recreation, and music therapy —are implemented to build and strengthen coping strategies and daily living skills. On-unit psychologists assist with psychological testing, provide family therapy, and support communication between patients and their caregivers. Every patient is assigned a Social Worker who collaborates with the patient, caregivers, and external community supports to ensure timely follow-up care and referrals to recommended levels of care. A Psychiatrist assesses each patient daily, focusing on safety, medication management, and providing education regarding diagnosis and medications to both patients and caregivers. Additional resources include pet therapy, and the unit features an outdoor recreation area for fresh air breaks.
Adolescent Conditions We Treat
- Anxiety disorders
- Behavioral and emotional disorders
- Bipolar disorders
- Borderline personality disorder
- Depression
- Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder
- Oppositional defiant or conduct disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Social anxiety disorder
- Suicidal ideation: Child
Adolescent Treatments
- Individual therapy
- Medication management
- Psychological testing/evaluations
- Occupational therapy
- Art, music and recreational therapy
