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TEEN MENTAL HEALTH: 9 Benefits of Traveling for Treatment

Author:
Jemma Strain
Jemma Strain
B.S. Psychology
Editor:
Emma Loker
Emma Loker
B.S.
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Not every teen who finds coping with their emotions challenging will need to travel for therapy. However, some teens may encounter mental health issues which affect their emotional and physical health, relationships, outcomes for the future – and even safety. 

If you’re worried about your own or someone else’s mental health, you may be weighing up the benefits of traveling for treatment against accessing therapy close to home. Traveling for therapy can be a tough choice to make, but you don’t have to make it by yourself. 

While you may find yourself frequently talking yourself out of accessing therapy from far away, there are many benefits to traveling for treatment. Below, we break these down, so you can make an informed decision that’s right for you. 

Teenage traveling for treatment

MISSION PREP

9 Benefits of Traveling for Treatment

Depending on a teenager’s specific needs, the following are some potential benefits they could receive from traveling for treatment.

1. Reduced Shame or Embarrassment

Mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression are highly common in teenagers. Yet, even though many of these teenagers recognize they have a problem, very few reach out for help and support. Why is this? A lack of understanding about mental health, as well as shame and stigma, are huge barriers teens face when needing mental health support. 

Many of these teens may feel like they will be judged by others, such as their peers, for needing professional mental health treatment. As a result, they might refuse to confront the issue and talk about needing support for better well-being.2

Traveling for mental health treatment can reduce the chance that a teenager will encounter someone they know, therefore, it could reduce feelings of shame or judgment. Of course, a teen should never feel ashamed of needing support, but if this becomes a barrier for them seeking treatment, traveling could be a big benefit. 

2. Change of Perspective

Everyone, including teens, can fight against changing their perspective. However, one of the core functions of talk therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is how they help us challenge our belief systems and become more objective.

Travel, in general, can help us see things from different angles. A teen who travels for treatment may be able to see problems from a different perspective once they’re removed from their familiar environment. This way, therapy may be better able to tap into a newfound willingness to see things from a more objective angle.1

3. More Freedom to Focus on Well-Being

Everyday stressors, such as home life, school problems, and issues with friends, can distract a teen from focusing on their recovery. Traveling for treatment removes a teen from their familiar environments and can give them a much-needed break from the stress of their everyday life. Without these distractions, a teen only has to focus on one thing: getting better. 

4. Increased Access to Therapy

For some teens, not living close to treatment facilities might mean reduced access to talk therapies and a higher likelihood of being given medication to manage their issues. However, traveling for treatment, such as inpatient treatment, can increase the chance that a teen will receive more comprehensive care. 

Improving access to therapy has been a continued effort in many countries, such as the U.S., with studies showing that increased access has a range of benefits for teen mental health. However, sometimes, personal barriers, such as distance from treatment, can still impact a teen’s ability to avail of services. This may mean that traveling for mental health treatment is necessary for better outcomes.3,4

5. More Specialized Treatment

Not every local treatment facility can cater to a teenager’s unique needs. Traveling for treatment may mean that a teen receives multidisciplinary care. In other words, traveling may increase the chance that a teen’s needs will be taken care of by a wide range of mental health and general health professionals – each with different skill sets. Such specialized treatment programs can improve the mental health outcomes of teens and the likelihood that they’ll make a long-term, successful recovery.5

6. Reduced Wait Times

Local mental health services are often over-prescribed, meaning that they might be stretched too thin to provide services to a teenager who needs them. Travelling for treatment means that a teen will be given the necessary therapies and observations to ensure that mental health conditions are managed effectively. As mental health conditions, such as depression, have the potential to worsen over time – creating risks for emotional and physical well-being – quicker access to services may be an important benefit.6

7. Allows for Self-Discovery

One of the core human needs is that of exploration, meaning that we all need to see and experience new environments. While traveling for treatment might not be quite the same as going on an adventure to a new country, it still allows opportunities for exploration and self-discovery. 

Exploring a new environment, such as a new treatment facility, can open the door for increased motivation and personal development. This can allow a teen to feel more involved in their own care and recovery. Motivation is the underpinning of success in teens, across all areas of life. Therefore, tapping into this resource could improve mental health outcomes.7,8

8. Distance Can Be Empowering

Depending on a teen’s circumstances, distance from home can make a teen feel empowered. In other words, they might feel like they have more of an opinion on and voice in their own treatment and care. This may be especially important if they feel a lack of control in their daily life and a need for an increased sense of choice and free will.9

9. Decreases the Chance of Risky Behaviors

Traveling for treatment, such as choosing to travel for residential treatment, can lower the chance that a teen will engage in risky behaviors such as self-harm. Moreover, it can prevent such behaviors from spiralling into more concerning problems, such as thinking about taking their own life.   

In many cases, the time and effort required for traveling for treatment may act as a distraction for teens’ need to engage in risky behaviors. Further, teens who travel for residential treatment receive intensive, 24/7 support or care. This means they are not given the opportunities to pose a threat to their own health and well-being. Additionally, according to studies, many parents felt relieved that their children were safe in these facilities.10

Factors to Keep in Mind When Traveling for Treatment

While there are a range of benefits to traveling for treatment, as each teen is unique and has different mental health requirements, there are some factors to consider. 

Some Teens May Prefer to Be Closer to Home

Depending on a teen’s specific needs, some may fare better when able to keep to their typical routine, such as attending school as normal and taking part in extracurricular activities. Online therapy and intensive outpatient treatment options may benefit teens who don’t require round-the-clock observation. 

They Could Benefit From Support of Family and Friends

Being around family and friends could benefit teens’ mental health when recovering from certain mental health conditions. Stable, supportive relationships have been shown to be protective against negative mental health outcomes. 

However, traveling for therapy may improve access to group therapies, which are known to help teenagers feel understood and supported, and could also help them learn important coping skills.11

Fortunately, at Mission Prep, teens don’t have to choose between receiving top-quality support and being close to their family and friends. We prioritize family, ensuring each young person is still able to connect with their loved ones, even when receiving residential treatment. 

Some Teens May Find it Difficult to Resume Normal Life

Sometimes, when a teen has to travel for treatment, or decides that residential treatment is the best option for them, they may find resuming their normal routine difficult. However, at Mission Prep, we offer support options such as aftercare programs that can help a teen return to their regular routine while still taking care of their mental health. As a note, a teenager who leaves treatment before they’re mentally ready might struggle most with returning to the community.10

While these factors are important to consider when thinking about traveling for therapy, if a teen has specific mental health needs, the benefits likely outweigh anything else. Diagnosable mental health conditions can impact a teen’s emotional and physical health in both short and long-term ways, so it’s important to make an informed choice. A mental health professional can answer any questions you may have and advise you on the best choices to make for you or a loved one.  

How Mission Prep Can Help

Deciding whether to travel for mental health treatment can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Mission Prep’s team of trained professionals is available 24/7 to answer any questions or concerns you may have about traveling for mental health treatment. 

We offer a variety of mental health treatment options for teens in various locations, including: 

  • Residential mental health treatment: Our specialist inpatient treatment for teen depression in California and Virginia focus on addressing the complex needs of teenagers with emotional, behavioral, and mental challenges. These environments allow teens to form healthy outlooks, remove the risk of harm, and promote long-term recovery from mental health conditions. 
  • Outpatient mental health treatment: Our outpatient programs for teen depression are flexible and suitable for teens who don’t require full-time supervision. In these programs, teens can access therapy, counseling, and specialized treatment while still going about their daily lives. 
  • Intensive outpatient treatment: Mission Prep’s intensive outpatient programs adapt the intensity of treatment depending on a teen’s symptoms and needs to promote the best chance at success and long-term recovery. 

 

Mission Prep’s treatment programs create a strong foundation for teenagers’ long-term recovery from depression. Contact us today for more information or advice – we’re always available to help, even if you decide that our services aren’t right for your needs. 

Group therapy for teens traveling for treatment

References

  1. Anbar, R. D. (2023, August 5). New perspectives can improve your life. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/understanding-hypnosis/202307/new-perspectives-can-improve-your-life
  2. National Institute for Health and Care Research. (2021, September 29). Why don’t teenagers seek help for anxiety and depression? NIHR Evidence. https://evidence.nihr.ac.uk/alert/why-dont-teenagers-seek-help-anxiety-depression/
  3. Pfeiffer, P. N., Glass, J., Austin, K., Valenstein, M., McCarthy, J. F., & Zivin, K. (2011). Impact of Distance and Facility of Initial Diagnosis on Depression Treatment. Health Services Research, 46(3), 768. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-6773.2010.01228.x
  4. Hodgkinson, S., Godoy, L., Beers, L. S., & Lewin, A. (2017). Improving Mental Health Access for Low-Income Children and Families in the Primary Care Setting. Pediatrics, 139(1), e20151175. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2015-1175
  5. Scott, E., Naismith, S., Whitwell, B., Hamilton, B., Chudleigh, C., & Hickie, I. (2009). Delivering Youth-Specific Mental Health Services: The Advantages of a Collaborative, Multi-Disciplinary System. Australasian Psychiatry. https://doi.org/10.1080/10398560802657322
  6. Holland, J., Roe, J., Guo, B., Dasilva-Ellimah, M., Burn, A.-M., Dubicka, B., Ford, T., Wagner, A. P., Nazir, S., James, A., Morriss, R., & Sayal, K. (2023). ‘Far away from home’: Adolescent inpatient admissions far from home, out of area or to adult wards: A national surveillance study. BMJ Mental Health, 26, e300843. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjment-2023-300843
  7. Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. American Psychologist, 55(1), 68–78. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.55.1.68
  8. Hanson, R. A., Goodner, C. E., & Songer, J. B. (2022). Motivation in Teens. American String Teacher. https://doi.org/10.1177/00031313221121690
  9. National Institute for Health and Care Research. (n.d.). What is the impact of admitting a young person to a psychiatric unit far from home? Retrieved from https://evidence.nihr.ac.uk/alert/what-is-the-impact-of-admitting-a-young-person-to-a-psychiatric-unit-far-from-home/
  10. Zambrowicz, R., Stewart, J. G., Cosby, E., Esposito, E. C., Pridgen, B., & Auerbach, R. P. (2019). Inpatient Psychiatric Care Outcomes for Adolescents: A Test of Clinical and Psychosocial Moderators. Evidence-Based Practice in Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 4(4), 357. https://doi.org/10.1080/23794925.2019.1685419
  11. Butler, N., Quigg, Z., Bates, R., Jones, L., Ashworth, E., Gowland, S., & Jones, M. (2022). The Contributing Role of Family, School, and Peer Supportive Relationships in Protecting the Mental Wellbeing of Children and Adolescents. School Mental Health, 14(3), 776. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12310-022-09502-9

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