Recognizing the need for increased services and support for children and teens, Bergen New Bridge Medical Center offers numerous treatment options for those ages 5 to 17, ranging from inpatient, intensive outpatient and telehealth treatment.

Behavioral health care is in desperate need in this country. The numbers of those facing mental illness were climbing before the pandemic hit and COVID-19 exacerbated the situation, creating a mental health crisis in the United States and around the world. Unfortunately, statistics show that there is only one behavioral health provider for every 350 Americans.

Some of the hardest hit by the mental health crisis are our youth. In the U.S., more than 2.7 million children and teens are living with severe major depression and more than 16% have had at least one major depressive episode in the past year. Even more disturbing is the reality that 60% of youth with major depression receive no mental health treatment.

Bergen New Bridge Medical Center recognized the need for increased services and support for children and teens. The hospital offers numerous treatment options for those ages 5 to 17, ranging from inpatient, intensive outpatient and telehealth treatment. The Hope & Resiliency Center for Youth was created during the pandemic to serve the needs of at-risk youth ages 13-17 who face specialized challenges that need to be addressed to ensure their success at home and at school.

Bergen New Bridge offers inpatient, intensive outpatient, recovery programs and support for those facing substance abuse disorders, with expanded and enhanced medication-assisted treatment and withdrawal management at the hospital.

One of the newest services the Hope & Resiliency Center for Youth provides is eating disorder treatment. During the pandemic, some teens turned to disordered eating to gain a feeling of control over their lives at a time when everything seemed so out of control. The Medical Center also established the Center for Eating Disorders and Body Positivity to help adults suffering from eating disorders.

Substance use disorders also were on the rise before the pandemic and skyrocketed as people were told to stay home to limit exposure to COVID-19. The medical center worked to keep the doors open for both substance use disorder treatment and recovery programs, both in person and virtually. Bergen New Bridge offers inpatient, intensive outpatient, recovery programs and support. Dr Anthony Accurso joined the medical center as the medical director of Addiction Medicine and has expanded and enhanced both medication-assisted treatment and withdrawal management at the hospital.

The medical center’s mission is to deliver all the high-quality health care services people need, when and where they need it. While the center serves those who need behavioral health treatment and support, it can also offer them comprehensive care. Bergen New Bridge provides not only high-quality primary care through its Ambulatory Care Center, satellite locations and CareRite Now centers, it also provides more than 25 different specialty care services including cardiology, hepatology and oncology.

It has never been more important to take a holistic approach to both one’s mental and physical health. Without mental health, there is no health. Conversely, being in poor physical health can exacerbate mental health issues. Bergen New Bridge encourages everyone to invest in their physical and mental health. Call 201-225-7130 for an appointment with a primary or specialty care providers. Call the Access Center 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for behavioral health services at 800-730-2762. Bergen New Bridge can provide all the care needed, when and where it’s needed.