February: Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. As experts in providing specialized mental health treatment, Smokey Point Behavioral Hospital is prepared to take on the challenging task of treating victims of teen dating violence at their facility and through community outreach.

Dating violence is unfortunately a common occurrence among teens. It is estimated that one in three teens in the U.S. will experience emotional, physical, or sexual abuse by a romantic partner before they reach adulthood. Smokey Point Behavioral Hospital has both inpatient and outpatient programs that are designed to help heal teens who are struggling with abuse and depression. The hospital recently began accepting patients for their new Adolescent Intensive Outpatient Program in addition to their existing Adolescent Mental Health and Women’s Connection inpatient programs, where women suffering from abuse trauma can seek treatment.

As Valentine’s Day approaches during the Teen Dating Violence Awareness month, it is important to remember that adolescents are just as vulnerable as adults are to experiencing loneliness and depression during the holiday. This loneliness among teens may increase their chance of entering an unhealthy, abusive relationship in attempt to alleviate those negative feelings. At Smokey Point, teens and their families can work together to seek proactive mental health treatment when signs of isolation, hopelessness, self-injuries, or any other mark of depression first appears in their behavior. At our behavioral hospital, we understand that each patient is unique, and a range of behavioral treatment plans are available to accommodate what is best for the individual.

The belief behind Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month is that young people should have the resources to build and maintain healthy, meaningful relationships. Smokey Point is dedicated to helping spread knowledge and awareness about the effects of teen dating violence and how to engage in a positive romantic relationship. Staffed with trained physicians, nurses, counselors, and technicians, the hospital is prepared to succeed in making a difference so that no teen must spend Valentine’s Day in an abusive situation.