Scottsdale nonprofit notMYkid announced the launch of its Intensive Outpatient Program, an early-action treatment service aimed at providing teens with valuable skills to help them navigate mental health challenges and life’s obstacles. The new service will begin on Jan. 18.

“We are excited to bring this new program from vision to reality as the need for mental health services among youth continues to grow,” said notMYkid CEO Kristen Polin in a press release.

“The team at notMYkid continues to work tirelessly to support some of the most vulnerable members of our community and help families navigate the right care needed for their child,” she said. “IOP is an excellent solution for a child that needs more than traditional individual counseling can provide. Our intensive curriculum will also connect teens in person to our supportive community of care.”

According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health released by SAMHSA on Jan. 3, one in five adolescents had a major depressive episode in the past year. Of these, nearly 75% had symptoms consistent with severe impairment, which caused severe problems with their ability to do chores at home, do well at work or school, get along with their family or have a social life, the release stated.

Why it matters:

• The pandemic has fueled a youth mental health crisis
• The opioid crisis is leaving a path of destruction in communities across the nation
•  bSuicide remains the second leading cause of death for adolescents & young adults 10-24

The Intensive Outpatient Program has a 12-week rotating curriculum and is staffed by master-level clinicians. A multi-faceted approach to treatment will help teens and families achieve the best possible outcome. Elements of the program include three days of group sessions per week, individual and family counseling, and peer support services.

Program services will take place at notMYkid’s 13,000 square-foot well-being campus that was carefully curated to help meet the physical, emotional and social needs of children, teens and young adults.

The organization will begin scheduling and performing comprehensive assessments on Jan. 9. To be admitted into the program, teens between 13-17 must have a primary mental health diagnosis. There are options to have the cost of the program covered through insurance or private payments.

To learn about notMYkid’s full continuum of prevention and behavioral health programs, visit notMYkid.org.