The Adolescent Psychiatry Unit (JPA) is an inpatient facility within the Department of Child and Adolescents Clinic. It provides 12 treatment places.

The JPA provides treatment for adolescents aged 13–18 who are experiencing mental health crises or psychiatric conditions, including:

• Depression and suicidal crises
• Identity and personality development difficulties
• Anxiety disorders
• Psychosis
• School-related difficulties caused by mental health problems
• Attention and activity disorders

The JPA follows an interdisciplinary, therapeutic community-based approach. The treatment team consists of therapists, nursing staff/social educators and the school team — who supports and accompanies adolescents throughout their treatment. We work on the basis of voluntary participation and motivation. This means that all treatment measures require the involvement of the patient and the consent of their legal guardians. The therapeutic environment provides the flexibility to respond to each adolescents individual boundaries, abilities and needs, as well as those of their family. Clarifying the purpose of treatment and agreeing shared goals form the foundation of the therapeutic process. Treatment takes place in three phases: Assessment and diagnosis, therapy and discharge planning.

This phase includes:

• Gathering information about the adolescents history and family background
• Psychological testing and medical assessments
• Getting to know one another and building a therapeutic relationship in order to better understand their strengths, resources, challenges and the circumstances affecting them and their environment

Therapeutic support includes:

• Creating and structuring a therapeutic daily environment that promotes independence and strengthens existing skills
• Activities, leisure and sports opportunities
• An in-house education programme that identifies and supports educational needs and resources
• Individual and group psychotherapy (including social skills training)
• Additional therapies (occupational therapy, physiotherapy, body-based therapies and music therapy)
• Regular family meetings with therapeutic and educational staff

Preparation for discharge focuses on ensuring that adolescents and their families are ready for life after the inpatient stay and can return to everyday life with increased confidence and resilience. This includes:

• The relationship between the adolescent and their family has been strengthened or clarified.
• The educational situation has been reviewed and appropriate arrangements have been put in place.
• Contact with peers and independent leisure activities can be resumed.
• Where needed, outpatient individual therapy or family support has been arranged.
• If placement outside the family home was part of the treatment plan, the relevant structures and key support people are known to the adolescent and their legal guardians.

Flyer about our services can be read in German here.