Hillsides, a nonprofit with a century-long track record of caring for children, created a new program just two years ago. HillsidesCares was established to treat children as young as six years old in a loving and nurturing environment to receive mental health treatment.
The team at HillsidesCares takes a trauma-informed care approach and works together with families to determine the best treatment plan to meet their unique needs. We provide a continuum of care ranging from residential to partial hospitalization to intensive outpatient treatment, allowing clients to step down their care level and remain with the same treatment team along the way.
In the past two years, we have worked together with the Hillsides community to reach important milestones.
365 Children and Youth received behavioral health services
94% of Families were satisfied with their experience
Six Major Insurance Providers signed on to include Hillsides as an in-network provider
And we’re just getting started.
Here’s one story from a recent HillsidesCares youth.
We met Derek* and their family when they were facing a three-year battle with depression, suicidal ideations, and self-harm behaviors. This youth was very resistant to treatment, but after some time with the HillsidesCares team, Derek agreed to attend intensive outpatient care – initially for just one week.
Our team was able to quickly build rapport and eventually recommended residential treatment to keep them safe as we addressed the daily safety risks of suicidal ideation and self-harm. Derek settled into our cottage and developed a positive relationship with the cottage team, therapists, and nursing team. After being isolated from peers for over three years, something shifted. Derek gained a sense of confidence and was able to build friendships and become a role model to their peers.
Derek held a lot of resistance towards their family based on a perception of not being seen for their gender expression and identity. The family was very engaged in all aspects of the treatment program, attending family therapy and multifamily therapy on a weekly basis. By the end of treatment, Derek’s goals were met with a noticeable reduction in depressive symptoms and an increase in social interactions with peers.
Today, the family reports that Derek spends more time with friends than ever before and is more open to connecting with family. Derek successfully graduated from intensive outpatient treatment and is now more open to positive support moving forward.
“Everyone was kind and understanding. My child loved the program” ~ Derek’s family.
Thanks to the care teams, volunteers, donors, and families, HillsidesCares is here to help people heal, grow, and thrive. If you or anyone you know is in need of mental health treatment, please click here.
*Client’s name has been changed to protect their privacy.