BOISE, Idaho — According to the CDC, one in four young adults has struggled with suicidal thoughts since the pandemic hit.
That's why a program specializing in teen mental health called "Imagine" rolled out in Nampa at the beginning of the pandemic. Program leaders say that the facility saw such a huge response they ended up having to expand into Boise for the new year.
The Boise facility just opened, but Program Director Daniel Griffin says he's already seen a huge need for the program's services both in Boise and Nampa. He's hoping the program will be able to serve teens through the Treasure Valley by utilizing these two facilities.
"If we can hit Nampa and Boise, the two main hubs of the population in the valley essentially, we felt it would be providing a good community need," Griffin said.
"There's a high need for adolescent mental health treatment." Imagine by Northpoint helps with mental health diagnosis and resources for adolescents who struggle with their mental health and need support.
Posted by Nicole Camarda on Tuesday, October 13, 2020
Griffin says Imagine is a "step down" from inpatient care.
"We are what's called a partial hospitalization program," explained Griffin. "Our purpose is to catch youth that is coming out of inpatient care that are suicidal or having suicidal ideation and self-harm."
The program takes a holistic approach to treatment. They focus on partnerships with other facilities like foodbanks, schools, and inpatient programs to address the root causes of mental illness.
"There's a high need for adolescent mental health treatment," Corporate Clinical Director, Erica Lopez, said. "We see a lot of conduct disorder, depression, anxiety, even schizophrenia you kind of name it. But we're also helping a lot with what's going on at home and the environment."
The Boise facility is already open for patients, and offer telehealth options on a case by case basis, but for now, their main focus is on in-person programming with COVID-19 precautions in place.
If you or someone you know is struggling, please don't hesitate to reach out for help.
Here's a full list of resources for mental health and addiction treatment:
Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline:
Phone: (208) 398-4357
Website: https://www.idahosuicideprevention.org/
Veteran's Crisis Line:
Phone: 1 (800) 273-8255 (PRESS 1), or you can text: 838255 to get help from professionals, 24/7.
Website: https://www.boise.va.gov/
Crisis Hotline:
Phone: 208-788-3596
Website: http://thecrisishotline.org/
Marimn Health:
Phone: 208-686-1931
St. Luke's Psychiatric Wellness Clinic:
Phone: 208-706-6375
211 Idaho Careline:
Phone: Dial 211 or 1-800-926-2588
Code 4 Northwest:
Phone: 425-243-5092
Crisis Intervention:
Phone: 208-334-0808
Addiction hotline:
Phone: (888) 659-7510
Website: https://addictionresource.com/addiction-and-rehab-hotlines/idaho-numbers/
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare:
Website: https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/Medical/MentalHealth/tabid/103/Default.aspx
Phone lists: https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/ContactUs.aspx
