Mental Health Levels of Service

Navigating mental health concerns can be scary and isolating for the individuals experiencing them as well as their loved ones and support persons. Here is some information on resources that can help.

Primary Care Provider:

You see this provider regularly for general care needs. They can listen to what you are experiencing and make a recommendation for care/treatment/prescription and/or refer you to a therapist or psychiatrist.

Therapist:

Therapist visits typically occur in weekly/bi-weekly increments over an extended period. This allows the formation of a therapeutic relationship, providing a safe space for the individual to share what they’re experiencing and mentally process the external and internal experiences that cause them distress. Therapists do not prescribe medications and may refer the individual to a provider that does.

Psychiatrist:

Psychiatry visits vary in cadence. Generally, the psychiatrist assesses the individual’s concerns and recommends medication for treatment. They then follow the effectiveness of the medication, making adjustments as needed based on the improvement or lack of improvement in the individual’s symptoms.

Day Treatment (DT)/Intensive Outpatient (IOP):

This level of care is group-based. Individuals attending a DT/IOP program typically attend 2-3 days/week for about 3 hours each day. Each day a therapist leads a processing group, where the group members share and process their experiences, and another healthcare professional will provide an education group on coping skills and other helpful techniques the participants then use in everyday life for improved well-being. There may be virtual options available.

Partial Hospitalization (PHP):

This level of care is group-based and includes the oversight of a psychiatrist and registered nurse. Individuals attending a PHP typically attend 5 days/week for about 6 hours daily. Each day a therapist leads a processing group, where the group members share and process their experiences, and another healthcare professional will provide additional education groups on coping skills and other helpful techniques the participants then use in everyday life for improved well-being. There may be virtual options available.

Crisis Stabilization/Crisis Bed:

With this level of care, which varies by location/region/county, a crisis response team assesses the individual’s needs based on the current crisis they are experiencing. The team then assists the individual in locating resources and creates a crisis stabilization plan with the individual. Many locations include crisis beds where the individual may voluntarily stay for up to 10 days while their resources and crisis stabilization plan are secured and coordinated.

Inpatient (IP) Mental Health (MH)Hospitalization:

IP MH hospitalization occurs when the individual experiences an acute mental health crisis requiring immediate attention to the individual’s safety and stabilization of mental health symptoms. This level of care may or may not be voluntary. IP MH units are typically locked. The length of stay can vary greatly depending on the circumstances and averages 7-9 days. During IP MH hospitalization an individual can expect to be seen by a psychiatrist for medication needs/adjustments, receive RN care, attend group activities and programming, and also meet with social workers. The goal is to work with the individual to create a plan to successfully manage their mental health symptoms after discharge as well as a plan for what to do if their symptoms become unmanageable.

Residential Mental Health Care:

There are many levels of residential mental health care. Here are a few that can be helpful to be aware of: Drug/Alcohol/Eating Disorder/etc. treatment facilities

IRTS: Intensive Residential Treatment Services

CBHH: Community Behavioral Health Hospital

Adult Foster Care • Group Homes

Resources for Help:

• 988 National Hotline

• Local crisis resource hotline

• closest emergency department

• NAMI.org

• SAMHSA.gov

• NIMH.NIH.gov

• CDC.gov

MHResources.org