Different Levels of Adult Mental Health Services

Mental health services can help you manage your symptoms and recover from mental illness. They include therapy, medication and support groups.

Assertive Community Treatment Teams is a multidisciplinary team consisting of psychiatrists, social workers, nurses and certified peer support. They assist those with chronic and severe mental illness live at home instead of being admitted to a hospital.

Treatment Options

Adults with mental health problems can receive treatment at many different levels. Getting the right level of care can be vital to the person's recovery.

A combination of treatment methods can be most efficient. For example, weekly talk therapy might not be enough to deal with a crisis however, someone who is experiencing a mental health crisis could benefit from a psychiatric residential treatment program. A person who is experiencing a mild slump might benefit from self-help or group therapy, but the more serious problem would probably require one on one session with an experienced therapist.

The first step to getting help for mental illness is usually crisis intervention services. These services can help to de-escalate a situation and connect people touch with a professional counselor for advice and counseling. These services can be found in a hospital, an emergency room, or even over the phone for those far from the mental health center.

Intermediate levels of treatment include a partial hospitalization program (also known as day treatment) and intensive outpatient treatment and regular individual therapy sessions. The psychiatric residential treatment program offers a comfortable and homelike setting in which patients can unwind from their routines and focus on healing and overcoming challenges. These facilities are licensed and provide 24/7 supervision.

Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) is a person centered service that brings together a team of professionals to assist people suffering from persistent and severe mental illness reside in the community rather than institutions. The team comprises psychiatrists, nurses and a case manager vocational specialist, and certified peer support experts who offer a range of community-based services like housing assistance, medication management and support.

Residential or long-term inpatient treatment isn't common however it is an ideal option for those who are not stable enough to remain at home and need more structure and supervision than outpatient treatment can offer. These programs are usually located on a campus which is larger than traditional psychiatric hospitals. They offer a wide range of therapies and activities. These include group and individual sessions, as well as recreational activities, education, and training to help improve your confidence.

Partial Hospitalization

Certain adults may require more intensive treatment than traditional outpatient services but they do not require the security and surveillance of an inpatient psychiatric hospital. These individuals may be struggling with a myriad of mental health issues such as bipolar disorder, depression or anorexia. Our Adult Partial Hospitalization Program helps stabilize symptoms and allows the ability to transition smoothly from inpatient to outpatient care. The program is run by a multidisciplinary team that includes registered nurses, psychotherapists, recreation therapy and program facilitators under the direction of a psychiatrist. Patients ages 18 years and older are admitted to the program directly from outpatient treatment or after discharge from an inpatient psychiatric admission.

The length of the program will vary based on your personal needs, but can run up to three months or more. In this time, you will work closely with a psychiatrist and psychotherapist to create a customized treatment plan. Additionally, you will be involved in groups, recreational therapies and wellness activities. You will also be involved in managing your medication, and will meet with a nurse for education and a review of your medication.

You will continue to reside at home during treatment, but you will spend several hours or days a week in an institution for mental health. During your stay, you will receive a thorough well-organized treatment in a safe environment. You can expect to take part in a variety of therapies that include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), family therapy and motivational enhancement therapy. These techniques are designed to help you overcome the challenges that hinder your pursuit of a successful recovery.

Based on the insurance company Part-hospitalization programs can be less expensive than inpatient care. The majority of private insurances will cover these procedures as long as you have a proof of medical necessity from your physician. Medicare covers these treatments however, you must meet certain criteria to be eligible.

Inpatient Treatment

Inpatient mental health services are the most intense form of treatment. Inpatient services provide supervision and a structured environment for people suffering from serious problems, such as major depression or bipolar disorder. The treatment programs include regular visits with a psychiatrist, therapist and social worker. private mental health may also include therapy for co-occurring mental illness and addiction to drugs. Inpatient therapy is available in a psychiatric institution or the psychiatric section of a regular hospital.

Many adults are referred to inpatient mental health treatment following a breakdown or crisis. They could be at risk of hurting themselves or others, and should be placed in a supervised environment until they are secure. This is often due to an untreated depressive episode that is severe. Depression can take hold on someone slowly and slowly and drain their energy until they are unable to function. A person could experience a mental crisis which requires the intervention of emergency services or law enforcement, and then be admitted to inpatient care.

Sometimes, a young person is admitted to residential treatment because they are in a crisis or has been suffering for a long period of time with their symptoms but have made no progress. The goal of these programs is to assist them create lasting recovery. These programs take young adults away from their homes or other unhealthy environments, and provide a structured and empowering environment where they can work on their issues.

The programs can last from to 30 days. The programs offer educational sessions and therapeutic activities about mental health disorders and substance abuse. They also teach life skills and offer support, based upon the needs of each person.

Many insurance companies cover the cost of inpatient mental health treatment. However, it's important to talk with your insurance provider to determine what coverage you're entitled to, and to discuss the various types of inpatient mental health treatment. If you do not have insurance there are a variety of organizations that offer low-cost or no-cost care for inpatients.

Outpatient Treatment


Outpatient treatment, as the name suggests lets people work and live at home throughout their recovery. It's an important step-down option from residential rehabilitation and serves as a basis for ongoing care following the residential mental health services. Outpatient rehabilitation services are less controlled than inpatient care and are best suited for people who already live in an environment that is safe and free of negative influences and are ready to take on responsibility for their recovery.

Outpatient programs have a flexible schedule, which allows participants to maintain their commitments to school, work and their families. The intensity of the basic outpatient therapy, intensive outpatient programming and part-hospitalization programming varies. Partial hospitalization is the most intensive of these programs, which requires five to six hours a day of treatment, five days a week. These programs stabilize behaviors in early recovery and often serve as a bridge to residential treatment.

The majority of residential and inpatient mental health facilities provide some form of outpatient therapy, and a few have a full array of outpatient services for their clients. Oftentimes, these programs offer support groups that allow participants to identify triggers that are common and learn coping strategies that can help in a stressful or crisis period.

Many outpatient programs also include a family behavioral therapy component. Sessions for groups and individuals can be focused on a wide range of issues like parenting, school or work problems and relationships. Participants can bring those issues into the treatment setting and apply their learning to their daily life.

You must prepare for a residential program or inpatient mental health program by contacting your facility and completing any paperwork, as well as settling any issues before the date of entry. If you're planning to enter a residential program, it's also an excellent idea to get in touch with loved ones so that they know what you can expect during your time at the center for recovery and are able to help. It is generally possible to visit family members who are receiving residential treatment or inpatient care. However, this may differ from program to program.