Your Child’s Path to Stability Starts Here: First Steps
Step 1: Call Us
If your child is experiencing a mental health crisis, getting them the right help immediately is crucial. The first step we encourage you to take is to call our admissions team. However, if you feel your child is in immediate danger, please call 911.
We accept referrals from healthcare providers, schools, and residential treatment centers. If you don’t have a referral, don’t worry—call us, and we’ll guide you through the evaluation process to determine the best next steps for your child’s care.
Step 2: Initial Evaluation
During your phone call with our team, they will get important details from you about your child, including their medical history, any previous mental health treatment, current medications, and insurance information.
Step 3: Insurance Verification
We understand the financial stress that comes with seeking medical help. To ease your financial concerns upfront, our experienced staff will work directly with your insurance provider to determine coverage options for adolescent inpatient mental health care.
Step 4: Guiding You Through Admissions
If admission is recommended, we’ll guide you through every step of the process to ensure your child receives the care they need.
What to Expect at ABH
Nurturing and Supportive Environment
At Ascent Behavioral Hospital, we know that it can feel scary for a teen to be in an unfamiliar environment, and even more so given their struggles with mental and/or emotional health issues. We value making our facility a secure and comforting space designed specifically for teens who are facing a mental health crisis. We've created an environment that balances medical-grade care with a warm, therapeutic atmosphere in which healing can begin.
Family Involvement
Parents are involved in and updated on their child’s progress and treatment during their stay with us. You will be invited to attend a family therapy session (held virtually or in person), with your teen and their therapist. You will also receive regular updates from your child’s treatment team and will be directly involved in decisions about medication. We ensure you stay connected with your child through scheduled phone calls using a secure verification system.
Open Communication
Your child's therapist serves as your main point of contact, providing consistent updates on treatment progress. Our on-site psychiatrist and medical team maintain clear communication about medication management and treatment adjustments, keeping you informed every step of the way.
Focus on Aftercare
We recognize the stress that comes with making sure that your child continues to heal after their short stay at a psychiatric hospital. That’s why we begin planning for discharge on day one of admission. Your child's assigned therapist will work with you to coordinate ongoing care, connecting you with appropriate resources like outpatient therapy, medication management, and community support services to ensure continued progress after discharge.
Insurance Providers We Work With Regularly
Insurance and Financial Information
At Ascent Behavioral Hospital, we accept all major insurance providers, including Medicaid. Our dedicated team works directly with insurance companies to help families navigate the complexities of coverage. We understand the financial challenges of mental health treatment, and our team is committed to assisting you in verifying insurance benefits, determining coverage, and addressing any payment-related concerns upfront. We aim to make the administrative process as smooth as possible, allowing you to focus on your child's well-being.
Discharge and Aftercare Planning
Early Planning: From day one, our team starts developing a comprehensive discharge strategy tailored to your teen's specific needs. With our short-term, 7-14 day program, we prioritize creating a clear path forward.
Comprehensive Coordination: Our therapists act as dedicated case managers, working closely with your family and external providers to ensure a smooth transition. We focus on connecting your teen with:
- Ongoing therapy resources
- Continued medical care
- Community support networks
Long-Term Resource Connection: We don't just stabilize—we set your teen up for continued success by linking them with appropriate long-term support, including:
- Outpatient therapy
- Medication management
- Day treatment or partial hospitalization programs
- Physical and mental health follow-up care
- Short-term residential treatment centers such as OASIS Ascent or ThreePeaks Ascent.
- Long-term residential treatment centers such as Discovery Ranch or Discovery Ranch South.
Our goal is to provide your teen with the tools, support, and resources needed to continue their healing journey beyond Ascent Behavioral Hospital
Addressing Common Parental Concerns
It is natural to feel anxious when your child is admitted to a psychiatric care facility. You love and care about your child, and you will likely have questions and concerns about their well-being and treatment while in our care. Here are some answers to the common questions parents have while their child is in a psychiatric hospital.
Is my child going to be safe?
At Ascent Behavioral Hospital, safety is our top priority. We are a fully secured, lockdown facility with:
- 15-minute patient checks (day and night)
- Secure perimeter fencing
- Separate areas for male and female patients
- Continuous professional supervision
- Anti-ligature features throughout all patient areas
How can I get in touch with my child?
Your child's therapist will be in direct contact with you and will help to navigate family sessions and set up times to talk to your child directly.
How will I receive updates on my child?
You'll receive regular updates through:
- Your child's assigned therapist
- Communication with your child’s medical provider
- Comprehensive updates about treatment progress
- Weekly family therapy sessions
- Medication and therapeutic intervention notifications
Our Commitment to You
At Ascent Behavioral Hospital, we are deeply committed to providing your child with the highest level of care and support during their mental health journey. Our team of dedicated professionals, including Psychiatrists, Therapists, Nurses, and Support Staff, is devoted to creating a safe, compassionate, and healing environment tailored to meet the unique needs of adolescents. We understand the challenges your child faces, and we strive to offer personalized, evidence-based treatment that fosters growth, healing, and long-term well-being. Every step of the way, we work closely with you and your family, ensuring that your child’s care is not only effective but also empowering. Our unwavering commitment is to guide your child toward a brighter future, with hope and healing at the heart of everything we do.
Family Involvement
Parents are considered a crucial part of their child’s treatment process at Ascent Behavioral Hospital, and will be involved in the following:
Admissions Process: Parents must either call us first or be referred to us by a medical professional to begin the admissions process. Our admissions team will ask you questions to determine your child’s needs, his or her medical and therapeutic history, and how we can best assist your child through treatment.
Family Therapy: In addition to the various therapeutic interventions patients are provided,, they will be involved in weekly family therapy. These family sessions will allow you to discuss with your child and their therapist how you can best support their healing.
Parental Consent and Involvement: Parents or guardians will need to sign off on any medications that will be administered to their child. They will also be informed about the therapeutic interventions and treatment approaches.
Addressing Common Parental Concerns
National Crisis Support:
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call or text 988 for 24/7 support
- Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for free, 24/7 crisis support anytime for free, confidential treatment referrals
- SAMHSA’s National Helpline: Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
Mental Health Resources:
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): nami.org
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: Get help | AFSP
- Child Mind Institute: Child Mind Institute
- SAMHSA’s Treatment Locator: Search For Treatment - FindTreatment.gov
Utah-Specific Support:
- Utah Crisis Line: Call (801) 587-3000
- 211 Utah: Call or Text 211 to be connected with mental health resources in your area
- SafeUT App: Visit safeut.org or call 833-372-3388
Additional Support:
- Navigating a Mental Health Crisis: Navigating a Mental Health Crisis | NAMI
- NAMI Online Education Program: Video Resource Library | NAMI
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are you located?
We are located in Millcreek, Utah, but we are happy to accept patients who live out of state.
How long will my teen stay at your facility?
A typical length of stay for a patient is between 7-14 days; however, the time spent in treatment can vary greatly, depending on a myriad of factors, the most important of which is the patient's progress and level of stability. Our goal during their time here is to stabilize them and prepare for their next treatment steps when they leave.
How many patients can you accommodate?
We are a 34-bed acute psychiatric hospital for teens. A referral or call is required for admission, as we do not accept walk-ins.
Are patients in co-ed living spaces?
Our facility maintains separate spaces for male and female patients to ensure comfort and safety for all.
What therapeutic services do you provide?
Patients are provided with individual and family therapy. We also offer evidence-based treatments such as DBT, CBT, and EMDR. A psychiatrist is on-site for regular medication management.
Prioritizing Your Teen's Well-being The First Steps
At Ascent Behavioral Hospital, we prioritize your teen's safety and well-being, starting with a smooth and thorough admissions process. Walk-ins are not accepted, and we strongly encourage parents to call us first. This initial step is crucial to ensure we understand your teen’s unique needs and can provide the appropriate support from the moment they arrive. When you call, our compassionate team will guide you through the process.
By calling first, you help us maintain a secure and structured environment, enabling us to focus on providing the highest level of care for every patient. Take the first step toward stabilization and healing today by giving us a call.
Helping Teens Navigate Mental Health Emergencies Support for Teens Facing Mental Health Challenges
Watching your child struggle with mental health challenges can be one of the most heart-wrenching experiences a parent can face. At Ascent Behavioral Hospital, we understand the overwhelming mix of emotions you're experiencing—worry, fear, and a deep desire to help your teen find their way back to stability. Our dedicated team of mental health professionals is here to support you and your child during this difficult journey, offering compassionate inpatient mental health care in a safe and nurturing environment.