Cottages for Adolescents
When a teen experiences a behavioral health crisis, they may be at risk for harming themselves or others. UNM Health Cottages for Adolescents is a safe place for your child to stabilize and start the recovery process.
Experts from our Children's Psychiatric Center will partner with you to set reasonable goals for treatment and a successful return home. We assess, treat and manage conditions such as:
- Anxiety
- Bipolar disorder
- Conduct disorder
- Depression
- Mood disorders
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Schizophrenia
We offer four available cottages for teen patients, which are staffed 24/7 by mental health specialists. During the stay, our staff will:
- Evaluate your child’s mental health
- Help your child stabilize and feel more balanced
- Prepare them to go home or to another health care center
During your child's stay, you will be able to call and visit. Our goal is to reunite your family as soon as it is safe for your child's mental health. In the event of a behavioral health emergency, call 911.
What to Expect
When you get to the hospital, a specialist will examine your child for signs of injury. We will ask you to fill out forms about their health, and then we will check your child's belongings for anything that could be dangerous.
Our providers will visit with you about your child's symptoms and treatment options. Based on your teen's needs, we may recommend they stay with us for a few days to a few weeks. If you prefer that your child not stay at the hospital, we can discuss options with you.
For the first 24 hours, your child will stay inside the cottage under close supervision. After this adjustment period, your child may join in outdoor activities.
Your child will participate in group and individual therapy sessions. The UNM pediatric behavioral health team uses Dialectical Behavioral Therapy—a way of teaching skills to cope with emotions and build relationships.
In between therapy sessions, your child can participate in outdoor activities, art and sculpting. We have licensed teachers on staff to help kids stay on-track with their schoolwork; schoolwork can also be brought in from your child’s regular school.
Expect a stay of at least three days. Please pack clothing appropriate for physical activity and time outdoors. Patients may not wear:
- Belts
- Clothes with drawstrings, logos, or offensive images
- Sagging or low-rise jeans
- Sleeveless tops
- Tight or revealing clothing
Each cottage has basic hygiene supplies such as soap, shampoo, a toothbrush and toothpaste, but you can pack other hygiene products as needed.
Children are not allowed to have cell phones, iPads or similar electronic devices. Sharp objects, glass, metal or other potentially dangerous items are also not allowed.
Questions on what to bring? Call us at 505-272-2890.
We do not allow parents or families to stay with patients. Instead, we offer special visiting hours and unlimited phone calls. Family members over the age of 14 are welcome to visit at the following times:
Chaparral Cottage
Visiting hours:
- 6–7 p.m. Monday to Friday
- 2–4 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays and holidays
For phone visits, please call 505-272-8525.
Chimayo Cottage
Visiting hours:
- 6–7 p.m. Monday to Friday
- 2–4 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays and holidays
For phone visits, please call 505-272-2955.
Cibola Cottage
Visiting hours:
- 5:30–6:30 p.m. Monday to Friday
- 2–4 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays and holidays
For phone visits, please call 505-272-2830.
Gila Cottage
Visiting hours:
- 5:30–6:30 p.m. Monday to Friday
- 2–4 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays and holidays
For phone visits, please call 505-272-9820.
If you cannot make the visitor hours, please talk to cottage staff to coordinate a time that works.
All visitors must be approved by our team. When visiting, you will be asked to follow these rules:
- Accompany any visitors with you who are between 14-17
- Be prepared to show photo identification
- Do not bring a child younger than 14 into the cottages or lobby
- Do not bring outside food; gum is ok
- Interact only with your own child
- Secure your personal items in lockers in the lobby
- Visit your child with no more than one other visitor at a time
All phone calls will be limited to 10 minutes. We will deliver any message if your child is unable to answer the phone.
For the first 24 hours, your child will stay inside the cottage under close supervision. After this adjustment period, your child may join in outdoor activities.
Your child will participate in group and individual therapy sessions. The UNM pediatric behavioral health team uses Dialectical Behavioral Therapy—a way of teaching skills to cope with emotions and build relationships.
In between therapy sessions, your child can participate in outdoor activities, art and sculpting. We have licensed teachers on staff to help kids stay on-track with their schoolwork; schoolwork can also be brought in from your child’s regular school.
Expect a stay of at least three days. Please pack clothing appropriate for physical activity and time outdoors. Patients may not wear:
- Belts
- Clothes with drawstrings, logos, or offensive images
- Sagging or low-rise jeans
- Sleeveless tops
- Tight or revealing clothing
Each cottage has basic hygiene supplies such as soap, shampoo, a toothbrush and toothpaste, but you can pack other hygiene products as needed.
Children are not allowed to have cell phones, iPads or similar electronic devices. Sharp objects, glass, metal or other potentially dangerous items are also not allowed.
Questions on what to bring? Call us at 505-272-2890.
We do not allow parents or families to stay with patients. Instead, we offer special visiting hours and unlimited phone calls. Family members over the age of 14 are welcome to visit at the following times:
Chaparral Cottage
Visiting hours:
- 6–7 p.m. Monday to Friday
- 2–4 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays and holidays
For phone visits, please call 505-272-8525.
Chimayo Cottage
Visiting hours:
- 6–7 p.m. Monday to Friday
- 2–4 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays and holidays
For phone visits, please call 505-272-2955.
Cibola Cottage
Visiting hours:
- 5:30–6:30 p.m. Monday to Friday
- 2–4 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays and holidays
For phone visits, please call 505-272-2830.
Gila Cottage
Visiting hours:
- 5:30–6:30 p.m. Monday to Friday
- 2–4 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays and holidays
For phone visits, please call 505-272-9820.
If you cannot make the visitor hours, please talk to cottage staff to coordinate a time that works.
All visitors must be approved by our team. When visiting, you will be asked to follow these rules:
- Accompany any visitors with you who are between 14-17
- Be prepared to show photo identification
- Do not bring a child younger than 14 into the cottages or lobby
- Do not bring outside food; gum is ok
- Interact only with your own child
- Secure your personal items in lockers in the lobby
- Visit your child with no more than one other visitor at a time
All phone calls will be limited to 10 minutes. We will deliver any message if your child is unable to answer the phone.
8-acre campus with a school, cafeteria and outdoor rec areas
Up to 9 children per cottage
3:1 staff to patient ratio