What is Mental Health?
Mental health treatment includes therapy for our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Our mental health affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make sound choices. Your mental health is vital at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.
Throughout one’s life journey, many people experience mental health problems. You may notice that your thinking, mood, and behavior can be affected and, in severe cases, manifest into psychosomatic effects and complex co-occurring disorders. Many factors contribute to mental health problems, including:
- Biological factors, such as genes or brain chemistry
- Life experiences, such as trauma or abuse
- Family history of mental health problems
Mental health problems are common, but help is available. People with mental health problems can get better, and many recover completely.
Positive mental health allows people to:
- Realize their full potential
- Cope with the stresses of life
- Work productively
- Make meaningful contributions to their communities
Mental Health Treatment
Mental health disorders are much more common than most people tend to realize. According to the World Health Organization, one out of four people experiences mental health crises sometimes in their lives. Mental health disorders and outbreaks could range from mild anxiety to severe depression and even schizophrenia.
Thankfully, there are many forms of effective mental health treatments available for anyone struggling with severe psychological issues. Below, we will discuss inpatient mental health treatment centers and how to find the best one for your mental health treatment needs.
Top 7 Ways to maintain positive mental health include:
- Getting professional help if you need it
- Connecting with others
- Staying positive
- Getting physically active
- Helping others
- Getting enough sleep
- Developing coping skills
Mental Health Treatment Myths & Facts
Table of Contents
Myth: People with mental health problems are violent and unpredictable.
Fact: The vast majority of people with mental health problems are no more likely to be violent than anyone else. Most people with mental illness are not violent, and only 3%–5% of violent acts can be attributed to individuals living with a serious mental illness. People with severe mental illnesses are over 10 times more likely to be victims of violent crime than the general population. You probably know someone with a mental health problem and don’t even realize it because many people with mental health problems are highly active and productive members of our communities. [1]
Myth: Mental health problems don’t affect me.
Fact: Mental health problems are very common. In 2014, about:
- One in five American adults experienced a mental health issue
- One in 10 young people experienced a period of major depression
- One in 25 Americans lived with a severe mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression
Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States. It accounts for the loss of more than 41,000 American lives each year, more than double the number of lives lost to homicide. [2]
Myth: People with mental health needs, even those who are managing their mental illness, cannot tolerate the stress of holding down a job.
Fact: People with mental health problems are just as productive as other employees. Employers who hire people with mental health problems report good attendance, punctuality, motivation, good work, and job tenure on par with or greater than other employees.
Myth: Personality weakness or character flaws cause mental health problems. People with mental health problems can snap out of it if they try hard enough.
Fact: Mental health problems have nothing to do with being lazy or weak, and many people need help to get better. Many factors contribute to mental health problems, including:
- Biological factors, such as genes, physical illness, injury, or brain chemistry
- Life experiences, such as trauma or a history of abuse
- Family history of mental health problems
Myth: There is no hope for people with mental health problems. Once a friend or family member develops mental health problems, he or she will never recover.
Fact: Studies show that people with mental health problems get better and many recover completely. Recovery refers to the process in which people can live, work, learn, and participate fully in their communities. More mental health treatments, services, and community support systems exist than ever, and they work.
Myth: Therapy and self-help are a waste of time. Why bother when you can just take a pill?
Fact: Treatment for mental health problems varies depending on the individual and could include medication, therapy, or both. Many individuals work with a support system during the healing and recovery process.
Know the Warning Signs
Not sure if you or someone you know is living with mental health problems? Experiencing one or more of the following feelings or behaviors can be an early warning sign [3] of a problem:
- Eating or sleeping too much or too little
- Pulling away from people and usual activities
- Having low or no energy
- Feeling numb or like nothing matters
- Having unexplained aches and pains
- Feeling helpless or hopeless
- Addiction, smoking, drinking, or using drugs more than usual
- Feeling unusually confused, forgetful, on edge, angry, upset, worried, or scared
- Yelling or fighting with family and friends
- Experiencing severe mood swings that cause problems in relationships
- Having persistent thoughts and memories you can’t get out of your head
- Hearing voices or believing things that are not true
- Thinking of harming yourself or others
- Inability to perform daily tasks like taking care of your kids or getting to work or school
Classes of Mental Illness
According to Mental Health America, there are more than 200 classified forms of mental illness. Some of the more common disorders are depression, bipolar disorder, dementia, schizophrenia, and anxiety disorders. Symptoms may include changes in mood, personality, personal habits, and/or social withdrawal. [4] Mental health disorder diagnoses often co-occur with other mental health disorders, such as substance abuse disorder.
Common psychiatric disorders may include the following:
- ADD/ADHD
- Anxiety
- Borderline Personality
- Depression
- OCD
- Panic Attacks
- Postpartum Depression
- Self-Harm
- PTSD
- Schizophrenia
- Trauma Treatment
- Mood & Personality Disorder
Types of Mental Health Treatment
Treatment depends on which mental disorder you have and how serious it is. You and your provider will work on a treatment plan just for you. It usually involves some therapy. You may also take medicines. Some people also need social support and education on managing their condition.
Inpatient Mental Health Treatment
The We Level Up mental health center in Texas is a highly specialized, modern, up-to-date facility providing innovative behavioral recovery therapy programs. Science-based mental health therapies occur in a tranquil, manicured setting with outdoor relaxation areas offering renewal spaces. Providing accredited pending mental health treatment programs designed for each client & delivered through highly personalized individual care.
There are times when a person becomes so ill that they are at risk of hurting themselves or others and hospitalization becomes necessary even though the individual does not wish to enter a hospital. While seeking help voluntarily is always preferable, if that is at all possible, the decision to hospitalize involuntarily can be more caring than it seems if that is the only way your family member or friend can get the care they need, especially if there is a risk of suicide or harm to others.
Depending on the extent of secondary disorders, we can first help assess your condition and thereafter guide you to suitable treatment options. Get a free behavioral health assessment and find out what dual-diagnosis treatment options are most suitable for you. Call to learn more.
Mental Health Treatment Medications
Medications can play a role in treating several mental disorders and conditions. [5]
Antipsychotic medications are primarily used to manage psychosis. The word “psychosis” is used to describe conditions that affect the mind, and in which there has been some loss of contact with reality, often including delusions (false, fixed beliefs) or hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that are not really there). It can be a symptom of a physical condition such as drug abuse or a mental disorder such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or very severe depression (also known as “psychotic depression”).
Antipsychotic medications are often used in combination with other medications to treat delirium, dementia, and mental health conditions, including:
- Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Severe Depression
- Eating Disorders
- Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Mood stabilizers are used primarily to treat bipolar disorder, mood swings associated with other mental disorders, and in some cases, to augment the effect of other medications used to treat depression. Lithium, which is an effective mood stabilizer, is approved for the treatment of mania and the maintenance treatment of bipolar disorder. A number of cohort studies describe the anti-suicide benefits of lithium for individuals on long-term maintenance.
Call to learn more regarding medications and to know what’s the safe option for your condition.
Psychosocial Treatments
Psychological treatment is designed to help an individual with emotional or behavioral disturbances adjust to situations that require social interaction with members of the family, workgroup, community, or any other social unit.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy (sometimes called “talk therapy”) is a term for a variety of treatment techniques that aim to help a person identify and change troubling emotions, thoughts, and behavior. Most psychotherapy takes place with a licensed, trained mental health professional and a patient meeting one-on-one or with other patients in a group setting.
Psychotherapy can be an alternative to medication or can be used with other mental health treatment options, such as medications. Choosing the right treatment plan should be based on a person’s individual needs and medical situation and under a mental health professional’s care.
Brain-Stimulation Treatments
Brain stimulation therapies can play a role in treating certain mental disorders. Brain stimulation therapies involve activating or inhibiting the brain directly with electricity. The electricity can be given directly by electrodes implanted in the brain, or noninvasively through electrodes placed on the scalp. The electricity can also be induced by using magnetic fields applied to the head. While these types of therapies are less frequently used than medication and psychotherapies, they hold promise for treating certain mental disorders that do not respond to other mental health treatments.
Coping & Support Mental Health Treatment Programs
If you are worried about someone it can be difficult to know what to do. When you are aware there is an issue, it is vital not to wait. Waiting and hoping they will come to you for help might lose valuable time in getting them support.
Talking to someone is often the first step to take when you know they are going through a hard time. This way you can find out what is troubling them and what you can do to help.
There are some general strategies [6] that you can use to help:
- Listen without making judgements and concentrate on their needs in that moment.
- Ask them what would help them.
- Reassure and signpost to practical information or resources.
- Avoid confrontation.
- Ask if there is someone they would like you to contact.
- Encourage them to seek appropriate professional help.
- If they have hurt themselves, make sure they get the first aid they need.
Seeing, hearing, or believing things that no one else does can be the symptom of a mental health problem. It can be frightening and upsetting. Gently remind the person who you are and why you are there. Don’t reinforce or dismiss their experiences, but acknowledge how the symptoms are making them feel.
Mental Health Treatment Centers Near Me
Here at We Level Up TX, our counselors understand and can make a recommendation best suited to your needs. You may call us today to speak with one of our treatment specialists.
Our treatment center at Texas is a multi-faceted primary drug, alcohol dual diagnosis program treating secondary co-occurring mental health conditions. Our team uses evidence-based proven methods to generate cutting-edge solutions to substance abuse and behavioral health challenges. With support programs targeted towards families and individuals. We work to improve the health of the public and of individuals from every behavioral and related integrated addiction primary and mental health secondary treatment option. This includes constant research and innovation on substance abuse and integrated co-occurring mental health treatment models paired with individuals in a conducive environment.
We Level Up TX also includes evidence-based therapeutic practices and offers support to family members and loved ones, friends, and the community at large.
Programs, services, and treatments vary.
Inpatient medical detox and residential primary addiction treatment may be available at We Level Up Texas. For some primary behavioral health treatment clients, medical detox and or addiction rehab may be required first. If you have a co-occurring severe substance abuse diagnosis, please contact us prior to beginning inpatient therapy. Treatment services may vary. Please call us to learn which treatment options are most suited for your individual needs.
Does Insurance Cover Mental Health Treatment?
You may be protected by Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Coverage Parity laws that require most health plans to apply similar rules to mental health benefits as they do for medical/surgical benefits.
If you have questions about your insurance plan, we recommend you first look at your plan’s enrollment materials, or any other information you have on the plan, to see what the coverage levels are for all benefits. Check your rehab insurance below:
FREE 24 hour Hotline: Get a free consultation on your best-fitting substance use disorder and co-occurring mental health treatment programs along with free rehab insurance verification. Contact us today here to learn more.
Sources:
[1-2] Mental Health Myths and Facts – U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
[3] What Is Mental Health? – U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
[4] Mental Health America – Mental Illness And The Family: Recognizing Warning Signs And How To Cope https://www.mhanational.org/recognizing-warning-signs#:~:text=There%20are%20more%20than%20200,habits%20and%2For%20social%20withdrawal
[5] Mental Health Medications – National Institute of Mental Health
[6] How to support someone with a mental health problem – https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/supporting-someone-mental-health-problem