The Young Adults Programme (YAP)

Not all Akeso clinics have the young adults programme.

The YAP at AKESO Clinics is a comprehensive Young Adults Programme that provides for specialised and integrated services to both adolescents and their parents/caregivers. The treating team comprises professionals who have a special interest and expertise in adolescent psychiatry. The designated team includes psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and occupational therapists. The multi-disciplinary team uses an eco-systemic approach in treating adolescents. Essentially, this model focuses on the individual in the context of all their various environments, for example, their family, school, friends, etc.

Adolescents who are admitted range from 16-18 years and must be school-going. The Clinic admits adolescents with psychiatric disorders such as depression, bipolar mood disorders, personality difficulties and other associated adjustment problems. However, the Clinic does not cater for severely oppositional and defiant behaviour. It is required that a pre-admission screening be done by two of the treating professionals.

The three-week programme includes inpatient treatment, and may include further outpatient treatment if required. No patient of school-going age should be allowed to remain in the clinic for longer than 72 hours without being referred to YAP. Any patient of school-going age admitted into AKESO Clinics for treatment should be referred to the programme manager of YAP for orientation to the programme. We do appreciate that adolescence is the time of acting out and asserting oneself. Therefore, team decisions are made around rules, consequences, visitors and time-outs.

We cannot fully guarantee the safety of high-risk patients, especially when they are admitted after hours. YAP patients provide the Clinic with a unique set of containment criteria, and we would not like to compromise in any way regarding the safety of any of our patients. For patients that are high-risk, please wait until the next working day, and consult with the nurses and a member of the therapeutic team before admitting the patient. For after-hours admissions, please refer to the general hospital until such time as you have the opportunity to assess whether we would be able to contain and treat the patient on YAP.

Pre-admission Assessment

It is recommended that the patient have an initial assessment with two of the treating professionals to determine his/her suitability to the treatment programme. It is a voluntary programme, so it is recommended that patients be willing to engage and participate fully.
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Family Communication with the Clinic

We understand that there would be some separation anxiety experienced by both the patients and their parents, so if there are any major concerns, you may contact one of the treating members. However, you can be assured that you will be contacted by a staff member in the case of an important event.

Visiting and Telephone Use

It takes approximately a week for the patients to really settle down into the routine of the programme; for this reason visitors and phone calls may be allowed on the fourth day of admission. Visitors are allowed on Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 18H00-20H00, and on weekends and public holidays between 14H00-17H00. Should you want to have time out with the YAP patient over the weekend or public holiday, kindly discuss this with the treating doctor. Please note that visitors will be determined by the therapeutic team. They will include family and/or one close friend.

Individual Therapy

YAP patients receive individual psychotherapy by the assigned psychologist three times a week, and receive case management for additional containment.

Family Therapy

We believe that the cornerstone of the recovery process for the young adult is to be re-integrated back into their family. It is for this reason that the parents/caregivers are engaged during the initial phase of the treatment process. The parents are initially seen by the programme manager to explore family dynamics and concerns. Subsequent co-therapy family sessions are held to deal with the family dynamics that unfold.

Group Therapy

Patients attend structured group sessions where they have the opportunity to develop their skills on communication, assertiveness, taking responsibility, etc, within a group context. Themes that are explored include emotions, conflict, peer pressure, drugs, alcohol, and self-harm.

Life Skills and Lectures

All groups and lectures are compulsory. The young adults need to attend all lectures, which are educational and skills-based.

Therapeutic Relaxation

Patients are encouraged to attend the weekly relaxation class, where they are allowed to de-stress and learn relaxation techniques.

Life Story

Each patient on the YAP is given the opportunity to present their life story. This is an opportunity to share and learn from your peers. In presenting your life story, you have the opportunity to assess your assets and stumbling blocks in your recovery.

Exercise

We believe that exercising is an important component in recovery. You would be asked to attend exercise daily in order to promote a healthy lifestyle. Exercise is done under supervision.

Climate Meetings

Climate meetings are held weekly with the YAP patients as a feedback session. It provides an opportunity to raise issues of concern and to open communication around the practicalities around the programme. The programme works on a merit and demerit system, encouraging positive reinforcement and consequences for negative behaviour. A group leader is elected each week and is given responsibilities within the programme, which assists in character building and acquiring of leadership skills.

Media Education

The YAP patients are exposed to age-appropriate media that they are requested to review and apply to their daily life.

Ward Rounds

Ward rounds are held twice a week, with the multi-disciplinary team, to discuss progress and therapeutic interventions on individual cases.