Inpatient Adolescent Psychiatry Service at Stanford
The Inpatient Adolescent Psychiatry Service at Stanford was established in 2017 when Stanford Children’s Health partnered with Mills-Peninsula Health Services. The Stanford Team at Mills serves youth ages 13-17 who are experiencing a mental health crisis, often in the setting of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, gender dysphoria, eating disorder, autism spectrum disorder, and/or a substance use disorder.
The team includes a Stanford psychiatrist, psychologist, and a psychiatry fellow, who coordinate interdisciplinary care alongside Mills nursing, social work, and occupational therapy. The average length of stay is three to five days and varies depending on patient and family needs. The emphasis is on stabilization and guidance on maintaining safety in the community. Every patient receives a diagnostic evaluation and an individualized treatment plan, which typically includes individual and family therapy along with pharmacotherapy, and support in establishing an appropriate level of care post hospitalization.