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Supporting Adolescent Mental Health During Summer: SunCloud Health’s Comprehensive Approach

Summer break offers a much-needed pause from academic pressures, but for many adolescents, it can also bring increased vulnerability to mental health challenges. Without the structure and social interaction provided by school, teens may experience heightened feelings of isolation, anxiety, or depression. Recognizing this critical period, SunCloud Health offers specialized summer programs designed to support adolescents through these transitions.

Understanding the Summer Strain on Teen Mental Health

The absence of daily routines and peer engagement during summer can exacerbate existing mental health issues or contribute to new ones. Teens navigating the complexities of adolescence—such as identity formation, social dynamics, and academic expectations—may find the unstructured nature of summer particularly challenging. This period can be especially difficult for those dealing with mood disorders, anxiety, eating disorders, trauma, or substance use disorders.

SunCloud Health emphasizes the importance of proactive support during this time, offering programs that provide structure, community, and therapeutic intervention to help teens manage these challenges effectively. 

SunCloud Health’s Summer Programs: A Holistic Approach

SunCloud Health’s summer offerings are designed to address the unique needs of adolescents during the school break. Their programs include:

  • Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP): An in-person program running five days a week, providing intensive therapeutic support for adolescents requiring a higher level of care.
  • Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP): Available both in-person and virtually, this program offers flexibility with morning and afternoon sessions, accommodating various schedules and allowing teens to engage in other summer activities.
  • Virtual IOP: An trauma-informed virtual program focusing on community building, emotional regulation, executive functioning, and life transitions. This program is ideal for families seeking a flexible yet comprehensive treatment option during the summer months.

These programs are tailored to help adolescents develop coping strategies, improve emotional resilience, and foster a sense of connection—all crucial components for navigating the challenges of adolescence.

Why Summer is the Optimal Time for Intervention

Engaging in mental health treatment during the summer offers several advantages:

  • Reduced Academic Disruption: Teens can focus on their mental health without the added pressure of school responsibilities.
  • Enhanced Privacy: Participating in treatment during the break can minimize concerns about stigma or peer judgment.
  • Preparation for the Upcoming School Year: Developing coping skills and emotional tools during the summer can set the stage for a more successful and balanced return to school.

SunCloud Health’s programs are designed to leverage this period, providing adolescents with the support they need to thrive both during and beyond the summer months.

Comprehensive Care Beyond the Summer

SunCloud Health’s commitment to adolescent mental health extends beyond seasonal programs. Their integrated approach addresses a wide range of conditions, including mood disorders, anxiety, eating disorders, trauma, and substance use disorders. By offering both outpatient and residential treatment options, SunCloud ensures continuity of care tailored to each individual’s needs. 

Family involvement is also a cornerstone of their treatment philosophy, recognizing the vital role that loved ones play in the recovery process. 

Taking the Next Step

If you’re a parent or caregiver concerned about your teen’s mental health during the summer, SunCloud Health offers a range of programs to provide the necessary support. With flexible scheduling, both in-person and virtual options, and a comprehensive approach to treatment, they are equipped to help adolescents navigate this critical period.

For more information or to enroll in one of their summer programs, contact SunCloud Health at (855) 956-2850.

Empower your teen to embrace the summer as a time of growth, healing, and preparation for a brighter future.

-Our Research Team-
Timothy D. Brewerton, MD, DLFAPA, FAED, DFAACAP, CEDS-S
Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Dr. Christopher Womack
Medical Director, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Dr. Christopher Womack joins SunCloud as our Medical Director, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

Dr. Womack is board certified in Adult as well as Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, attending the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. Adult psychiatry residency and child fellowship training were completed at the University of Chicago Medical Center.

Dr. Womack’s treatment  philosophy hinges on strength based, evidence informed care, where collaboration is central to guiding individualized treatment.  He has experience caring for children and teens from varied backgrounds, appreciating the importance of how identity can inform treatment.

Favorite pastimes are cooking new recipes and exploring Chicago’s rich cultural diversity through its neighborhood and fine dining experiences.

Elizabeth E. Sita, MD
Medical Director of Adult Services

Dr. Elizabeth E. Sita, MD, is a Board Certified psychiatrist specializing in the care of patients with eating disorders. She completed her undergraduate training at the University of Chicago and graduated with Highest Honors. She then earned her medical degree at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and was recognized with the Chairman’s Award for Excellence in Psychiatry. She subsequently completed residency with the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University, where she was elected Chief Resident and received the Resident Psychiatrist Leadership & Service Award.

Upon completing her training, Dr. Sita joined the staff atAscension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital Hospital, where she served as Assistant Medical Director of the Center for Eating Disorders and Director of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Services before transitioning to lead the new inpatient eating disorder unit as Medical Director of Eating Disorder Services at Ascension Saint Joseph Hospital – Chicago. In these roles, she has cared for a multitude of adolescents and adults struggling with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and other eating disorders as well as severe, cooccurring mood, trauma, personality, and substance use disorders.

Dr. Sita has been recognized throughout her training and practice for a commitment to excellence in patient care and for her ability to engage patients in their most challenging moments. Her passions include the care of treatment-resistant eating and mood disorders as well as questions of medical capacity and end-of-life decision making.

She believes that, first and foremost, human connection is key to mental health and well-being and strives to share this philosophy in each and every patient encounter. She is excited to bring her expertise to SunCloud Health as the Medical Director of Adult Services!

 

VIDEO: Meet Elizabeth E. Sita, MD, Medical Director of Adult Services

 

Lacey Lemke, PsyD
Assistant Vice President of Clinical Services

Dr. Lacey Lemke (she/her) is a licensed clinical health psychologist with specialized expertise in the treatment of eating disorders and the practice of medical and health psychology. She completed her doctoral training in clinical psychology with a Primary Care emphasis at the Adler School of Professional Psychology. Dr. Lemke went on to complete both her predoctoral clinical internship and postdoctoral fellowship through Ascension Health, where she gained advanced training working with individuals experiencing eating disorders and self-injurious behaviors, as well as within pediatric subspecialty settings including endocrinology, neurology, and adolescent medicine.

Dr. Lemke is deeply committed to providing evidence-based, compassionate care and collaborates closely with interdisciplinary teams to ensure comprehensive treatment. Her professional mission is to support patients in achieving their fullest potential by guiding them to the most appropriate level of care and empowering them to make meaningful, sustainable progress toward improved health and well-being.

VIDEO: 2. Meet Lacey Lemke, PsyD.