Developing a DBT-Informed Adolescent Partial Hospitalization Program to Increase Equity and Access.

Abstract

Background: Rising mental health problems and systemic barriers have reduced available services for adolescents with acute mental illness in recent years.

Objective: This article describes the development of a partial hospitalization program (PHP) to treat adolescents with a wide range of severe mental health problems and high-risk behaviors in a major metropolitan hospital.

Method: We describe our advocacy efforts to fund higher levels of care for patients with public insurance, the evidence-based clinical programming developed, and early implementation challenges, including managing high patient risk outside of a locked facility.

Results: Our program opened in 2023 and served 96 adolescents with severe mental health conditions and diverse demographic backgrounds in the first year, 51% of whom were covered by Medicaid.

Conclusions: This article is intended to provide a practical guide and example for clinicians and program developers interested in increasing access to evidence-based treatments at higher levels of care for underserved patients.