Pediatric Inpatient Mental Health Care

Children experiencing a mental health crisis can find individualized, compassionate help at Cumberland Hall Hospital. Cumberland Hall offers a short hospital stay in a serene, healing environment. We use evidence-based therapeutic approaches to provide individual and family therapy, group therapy, recreational therapy and medication management. Children receive services in a facility located on a beautiful farm-like campus.

Childhood and Teenage Mental Health Issues We Treat

Cumberland Hall’s inpatient program welcomes children ages 4 to 17 who need crisis intervention or stabilization.

We can help address a variety of mental health disorders in children and adolescents, including:

Anxiety or social anxiety that severely affects your child’s ability to function
Bipolar disorder
Major depressive disorder
Oppositional defiant disorder, which involves frequent angry outbursts, arguments and defiance
Schizophrenia
Severe autism spectrum disorders
Suicidal thoughts
Trauma or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Many youths have complex mental health needs or more than one mental health diagnosis at the same time. We can handle even the most challenging cases. We are ready to address multiple diagnoses, suicidal thoughts or actions, substance use disorders and aggression.

Who is eligible for pediatric inpatient mental health care?

To be eligible for the children’s inpatient program, a child must:

Be 4 to 12 years old
Be a potential danger to self or others
Have behavioral issues, psychiatric symptoms or mood disorders

For the adolescent inpatient program, the person must:

Be 13 to 17 years old
Have behavioral issues, psychiatric symptoms or mood disorders
Have tried outpatient treatment without success

Behavioral Therapy for Children and Adolescents

Our program uses two evidence-based therapeutic models: cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). Caregivers at Cumberland Hall are extensively trained in both methods.

CBT is a form of psychotherapy that helps people identify the ways they think, feel and behave. It then helps them use that awareness to improve their thoughts, feelings and behaviors.
DBT focuses on building a life worth living, which looks different for every person. It can help people manage even the most challenging mental health disorders.

During one-on-one sessions and group sessions, our staff use CBT and DBT to help teach youth and their families the skills and tools they need to:

Cope with challenging or distressing situations
Establish healthy boundaries with others
Improve interpersonal skills and communication to enhance relationships with others
Improve decision-making skills
Lessen feelings of depression, anxiety and stress
Recognize, accept and manage intense emotions and negative thoughts
Reduce impulsive and self-harming behaviors
Strengthen confidence, self-worth and self-esteem

Cumberland Hall’s Children’s Psychiatric Hospital

We believe that your environment is part of your healing process. Our building in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, opened in 2012 in a peaceful, farm-like setting. Inside the 59,000-square-foot building are a variety of spaces designed with your child’s health and healing in mind:

Separate units for children aged 12 or younger and those aged 13-17
Clinical spaces for treatment
Community areas for group sessions
Private offices for individualized counseling
School so that children and adolescents can maintain academic progress

Physical activity is important for mental health, so children have dedicated recreational time in our:

Basketball court
Full-sized gym, including weightlifting equipment
Outdoor playground
Land for equine (horse) therapy, which can promote relaxation, trust and recovery
Pool table
Rock wall

Families and caregivers are an important part of every child’s care. They are involved in all discussions and decisions about care. They are welcome to visit two afternoons a week, and your child has time to talk on the phone every day.

Inpatient Pediatric Psychology Providers

A child or adolescent with a mental health disorder needs a dedicated staff providing holistic care that addresses a wide variety of needs. Your child works with several providers, including:

Pediatric psychiatrist
Nurse practitioner specializing in psychiatric mental health
Nurses
Therapists
Nutritionists
Mental health technicians
Office staff

Our providers manage medications, provide intensive therapy and address substance use when needed. They also:

Help each child meet basic goals of care before discharge
Manage medication side effects, as well as make sure that meds are taken on time
Maximize nutrition for mental health and address disordered eating, allergies, diabetes or other food-related conditions
Teach and encourage good sleep hygiene to enhance mental health

The average inpatient stay is 5-10 days, depending on when your child meets their treatment goals. Before discharge, we develop an individualized plan of care to help them adopt healthier behaviors. The plan often involves connecting families with outpatient therapy as the next step in the journey.

Get Help Now

If you believe your child is experiencing a mental health crisis, CALL 988 or seek the nearest emergency room. For physical health emergencies, CALL 911 or get to the nearest emergency room.