OKLAHOMA CITY - SSM Health has entered its 19th year of collaboration with Oklahoma City Public Schools (OKCPS) to enhance educational support for pediatric and adolescent patients in its behavioral medicine program. News 9 spoke with SSM psychiatrist Dr. Michelle Holloway and Carrie Tracy, RN, Director of Rehabilitation Services, to discuss the program.
Read More
Dr. Holloway explained that SSM Health St. Anthony’s in Midtown includes a dedicated four-story facility for treating children and adolescents. The program offers multiple inpatient services for ages 5 to 17, a day treatment program for ages 12 to 17, and outpatient services.
Tracy noted the importance of balancing mental health treatment with educational needs, stating that the partnership with OKCPS ensures that students do not have to choose between their mental health and education. Last school year, SSM Health St. Anthony recorded over 500 enrollments for its educational services.
Teachers from Oklahoma City Public Schools provide instruction for three hours daily at St. Anthony's. After school hours, patients receive individual, group, and family therapy, integrating educational and mental health support into their treatment plans.
Dr. Holloway advised parents to watch for significant changes in their children's mood or behavior, including depression, anger, isolation, or academic struggles, as these could signal the need for professional help. She emphasized that serious psychiatric emergencies, such as threats to self or others or loss of reality, require immediate attention at SSM's emergency rooms, where mental health professionals conduct 24-hour evaluations.
Additionally, Tracy highlighted that SSM Health provides a range of services for adult mental health and substance use needs, along with various child and adolescent programs. For more information, families can visit ssmhealth.com.