The Adolescent support group continues to grow and thrive. This important transition program supports our adolescent patients as they move from an inpatient stay to the outpatient setting. We have found that the support groups helps to alleviate the stress that can come with this transition.

The program includes a multi-therapy team approach with includes Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and led by Recreation Therapy. The peer support group meets two evenings a month and allows discharged patients to rejoin the therapy staff to share their challenges in the community. It also allows the inpatients to meet peers who are successfully living life outside the protective walls of the hospital.

Team building exercises, self-esteem building, anger management, healthy leisure lifestyle, conflict resolution are all topics that are discussed and addressed in a supportive environment. The process is educational, informative and supportive to all who participate. Peer interaction, mentoring are key to allowing participants to realize they are not alone, they are not the first, and they are not the last to find themselves in a difficult situation.

This support group allows freedom from society norms and creates a nurturing environment to allow for growth and change within themselves. Tools are given to help dream and create their own mentoring community.

A local bank donated refurbished computers for the kids in the Adolescent Support Group as well as some of our students. Las Floristas provided all the necessary software for the computers.

For more information on the Adolescent Support Group please contact Julie Helgren at jhelgren@dhs.lacounty.gov