Depression Treatment Center

Learn more about depression treatment at San Juan Capestrano Hospital in Puerto Rico

Characterized by a persistent sad mood and a diminished interest in activities that one used to enjoy, depression is a mental health disorderthat will affect how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. The presence of depression hinders a person’s ability to function in healthy manner, affecting a person’s ability to work, succeed at school, or socially interact with those around him or her. Some individuals may have such severe depression that they feel that life is not worth living. San Juan Capestrano Hospital understands that the symptoms of depression can make day-to-day tasks daunting, which is why we have implemented specialized programming that allows sufferers of this disorder to once again find a sense of hope for the future. With a number of available treatment options, individuals who receive treatment for their depression are more likely to overcome their symptoms and once again lead a happy life. At San Juan Capestrano Hospital, we are dedicated to improving the lives of every individual who comes to us struggling with the debilitating symptoms of depression through the use of innovative and patient-centered therapeutic interventions.

Since its inception in 1988, San Juan Capestrano Hospital, a 172-bed short-stay hospital, has been the foremost provider of mental health treatment on the main island of Puerto Rico. With services available for the care of several mental health conditions and chemical dependency concerns, adolescents, adults, and senior adults can receive superior treatment for these issues in a safe environment that is conducive to true healing and recovery. Our caring and compassionate staff, which is comprised of numerous qualified mental health professionals, addiction specialists, and experienced medical personnel, facilitates services within each program with the understanding that each patient has unique needs and strengths. We pride ourselves in being able to offer the highest quality of individualized care that allows each patient to return to his or her respective community with an improved sense of emotional and physical wellbeing. If you, a friend, or loved one is struggling with symptoms synonymous with a mental illness, such as depression, or a co-occurring substance abuse problem, look no further that San Juan Capestrano Hospital. Our comprehensive and invaluable treatment is the solution to even the most plaguing of mental health concerns.

Helping a loved one get treatment for depression

If you have recognized symptoms of depression in a loved one, while it is mostly likely upsetting to see him or her hurting, you may find some comfort in the fact that there are things you can do to help. Before speaking to your loved one, it is important that you realize that depression is not something that someone can just snap out of; it is a disease that needs professional mental health treatment. Below are some ways in which you can help your loved one deal with his or her depression:

• Learn about depression, including the different treatment options
• Offer to go with your loved one to appointments
• Help keep your loved one with his or her treatment plan and help him or her remember to take any medication that may have been prescribed
• Provide your loved one with emotional support
• Be there to listen and offer encouragement

Why consider treatment for depression at San Juan Capestrano Hospital in Puerto Rico

Depression is a serious mental health disorder that, when left untreated, will result in the development of many unfavorable and severe consequences. This mental illness has the ability to manifest into emotional, behavioral, and health problems that can impact all areas of a person’s life. As a person sinks further into depression, he or she may begin to pull away from those close to him or her, eventually resulting in complete social withdrawal. Due to a lack of motivation, individuals who are suffering from the symptoms of depression may skip school, miss days of work, and not attend family gatherings. This can result in job loss, academic failure, and increased familial conflict. In some instances, individuals may develop a substance abuse problem because they have turned to drugs and/or alcohol to cope with the distressing symptoms. In severe cases, suicidal ideation may be present, which could ultimately result in suicide attempts.

In instances of severe depression, inpatient treatment is oftentimes the most beneficial way to help reduce symptoms and help a person achieve stabilization and jumpstart the recovery process. This type of treatment provides patients with ongoing support from multiple mental health professionals who are available 24/7 to address any concerns that should arise. In a safe and secure environment, those who are struggling with depression will partake in a number of therapeutic methods that will help them to develop the skills necessary to overcome their depression and achieve a happy life.

Types of depression treatment offered at San Juan Capestrano Hospital in Puerto Rico

At San Juan Capestrano Hospital, we wholeheartedly ascribe to the notion that each patient should have individualized treatment that meets his or her every need. Because of this belief, we afford each patient who entrusts us with his or her care with individually tailored plans for treatment that are distinct to the adolescents, adults, and senior adults who come to San Juan Capestrano Hospital for mental health services. These plans detail the specific courses of treatment that patients will engage in and include aftercare recommendations as formulated by our staff so that every patient experiences a full continuum of care. The planning of treatment begins during the time of assessment and can be altered should additional concerns arise during the course of treatment at our hospital.

In order to meet the varying needs of people suffering from mental health disorders and/or substance use concerns, San Juan Capestrano Hospital is pleased to provide different levels of care and specialized programming options. Our hospital features separate adult and adolescent inpatient programs that treat a myriad of mental health conditions, such as depression, as well as adult substance abuse services that are designed to care for even the most serious and long-standing of addictions. The level of care most appropriate for a patient is decided upon during the initial psychiatric evaluation, wherein a patient’s needs are assessed, a physical examination is conducted, and a mental status assessment is administered in order to determine which program will produce the most favorable treatment outcomes for a given patient.

Once admitted to one of our programs, patients have the ability to partake in a number of treatment methods. These methods are rooted in evidence-based principles and techniques, including cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and the 12-step model. The following methods for care are the ones primarily used at San Juan Capestrano Hospital and are implemented so that patients can find relief from concerns, such as those that are caused by the presence of depression:

Medical detoxification: For those that are battling a chemical dependency problem or polysubstance use concerns in addition to the troublesome symptoms of depression, San Juan Capestrano Hospital offers medically supervised detoxification services that are aimed to help adults, ages 18 and older, withdraw from substances in the most effective and safest manner possible. These services are monitored by medical professionals who have experience in making withdrawal comfortable so that patients can partake in therapeutic interventions with addiction specialists who can help springboard them towards lasting healing and recovery from addiction.

Medication management: When it comes to depression, antidepressants are often used to help an individual gain better control of the distressing symptoms he or she is experiencing. When medication is included in the treatment plan, our qualified psychiatrists determine each patient’s need for medication, can prescribe medication(s), and will monitor any pharmaceutical interventions that become part of a patient’s treatment plan. These services are in place so that every patient has the ability to receive medication if it is deemed necessary for a patient’s care.

Individual therapy: All patients who take part in our inpatient programming engage in individual therapy sessions four times per week. Individual therapy is a treatment method used so that a patient can process emotions and thoughts on a one-to-one basis with a member of our staff. For example, a patient who is struggling with depression can identify negative thought patterns and learn to replace them with more positive ones.

Group therapy: San Juan Capestrano Hospital offers a number of group therapy opportunities that allow patients to find support in one another and hone skills that have been learned. Some of the topics covered in these groups include techniques for managing stress, improving communication, learning and adapting healthy coping methods, bettering self-esteem, dealing with grief and loss, and persevering through trauma. These groups are offered several times per week to maximize the benefits of treatment offered in a group setting.    

Family therapy: Family therapy is offered as a method of treatment during inpatient programming so that our patients can receive ample support from the people who care for them most. During family therapy sessions, patients and their loved ones can work through conflicts and improve communication so as to heal and better familial relationships through the implementation of skills that can service a family unit well for a lifetime.

We also include a number of other therapeutic interventions as a way to wholly treat the individuals who come to our hospital for care. Especially for those who are battling the symptoms and effects of depression and require additional support and/or resources, we supply the following interventions and group topics as part of our treatment; these interventions have proven effectiveness in helping our patients learn to manage stress and turmoil while gaining the tools needed to successfully manage debilitating symptoms and other concerns:   

• Anger management
• Medical issues management
• Crisis management
• Marijuana Anonymous
• Alcoholics Anonymous
• Pilates
• Relaxation techniques
• Psychoeducation
• Occupational therapy
• Infection control
• Recreational therapy
• Canine therapy

Continuing care and levels of treatment for depression

We strive to provide the most comprehensive services that embody the highest quality of care possible. To fulfill this goal, we begin discharge planning at the time of admissions and feature a number of continuing care options at varying levels of treatment so that each and every one of our patient’s needs can be treated once a higher level of care is no longer required.

San Juan Capestrano Hospital offers partial hospitalization programs for both adolescents and adults. The adolescent program is catered to youth between the ages of 13 and 17 years old who are struggling with mental health concerns. While in this program, young people partake in a number of therapies and are able to return home at the end of the day to be with their loved ones. The adult program is similarly structured and also treats a myriad of mental health conditions with group therapy being the primary method for care.

Our hospital also features an adult substance abuse intensive outpatient program for those aged 18 and older. This program is designed to continue the recovery process and help patients maintain sobriety after completing inpatient services. The groups available in this program are facilitated in stages so that patients can then practice the tools and skills learned in this program while living in their respective communities.

Lastly, San Juan Capestrano Hospital provides outpatient services at eleven different locations on the island, including San Juan, Hatillo, Mayagüez, Caguas, Humanao, Manatí, Condado, Carolina, Ponce, Bayamón, and Guaynabo. Outpatient care allows patients to process feelings and thoughts with a mental health professional on a weekly basis.

Whatever your mental healthcare needs, the staff at San Juan Capestrano Hospital is devoted to helping you or a loved one overcome mental health issues or substance abuse concerns. We will put forth every effort to ensure that healing and lasting recovery from depression are available for each person who comes to us for care.