Are you facing mental health challenges?

Are you needing support, but not sure how or where to find it?

When you are in a time of mental distress, you may need to seek psychiatric care. Acknowledging that is the first step, and the next is how and where you will seek that care. Mental health resources are readily available to you and finding them doesn’t need to be an added difficulty. Keep reading to find out where to find psychiatric care near you and how to find the best care possible for your needs.

 Mental health disorders and mental health challenges of any kind are some of the most difficult challenges to face. Mental illness is an incredibly powerful force and it has the ability to shake you and your life to its core. While many mental health related challenges can be processed and supported through therapy and other treatments, there are many circumstances that mental health treatment is necessary and the best course of action to find health and stability. 

So, what is psychiatric care?

Psychiatric care is the medical treatment you receive to support and treat your mental health disorder or mental illness. Psychiatric care is receiving the care of a medical practitioner or psychiatrist, who can assist you in your struggle with mental illness. Psychiatrists have the ability to prescribe mental health medications, which are often necessary in the treatment of mental illness or other mental health conditions. 

There is a broad spectrum of mental health disorders and conditions that require mental health care of some sort.  

Examples of mental health conditions that can be treated with psychiatric care are:

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Bipolar disorder

• PTSD

• Addiction or substance use disorders

• Any schizoaffective disorder

• Psychotic disorders 

Mental health conditions can be a result of life circumstances, addiction, trauma, situational distress or a chemical imbalance. Mental health challenges can be treated in many ways, depending on their severity – and there are also cases that psychiatric intervention isn’t necessary. In the cases that it is, however, there are medications and other treatments that psychiatrists can use to alleviate and manage symptoms of mental health conditions. 

There are several different levels of psychiatric care. And truly, the treatment you seek is directly related to how emergent and severe your mental health challenges are.

Emergency psychiatric care 

If you are in a mental health crisis of any kind and need immediate help, it is crucial that you seek treatment from an emergency facility or hospital. You can visit your nearest urgent care facility, where they will be able to treat you, as well as referring you to a more long-term care – whether that’s inpatient care at a hospital or mental health facility or the care of a mental health practitioner. Beyond urgent care, if you are experiencing acute symptoms of mental illness that are a threat to your safety, you should go immediately to a hospital emergency unit. 

Some symptoms that require immediate medical attention are:

• Suicidal thoughts

• Thoughts of self-harm

• Hallucinations

• Delusions

• Severe physical manifestations of any kind

• Thoughts of violence toward others 

In situations where the symptoms listed above are experienced, the emergency room is the best course of action. In the emergency room, they have the medication and resources to stabilize you and treat you for your current mental health crisis. However, in some circumstances, an extended hospital stay is necessary for stabilization and treatment, before you are able to return to your life. 

Inpatient hospitalization treatment 

Once you have sought out emergency mental health care, you may still need the constant support and care of medical staff around the clock. Hospitals have psychiatric units available to you that offer medical treatment, the support of therapists, medical education and assistance and of course, the constant care of doctors and nurses who are qualified to support and treat you. A short-term or even long-term hospital stay can be the best option to get through an acute mental episode of any kind. In that period of time you are able to be removed from the current pressure and stress of life’s responsibilities and able to find stability with the help and support of professionals. You can also begin medication treatment, learn and adjust to your medication protocol and become stabilized through your stay before you are reintroduced into life outside of the hospital.  

Inpatient hospital care is not always necessary in mental health crisis’, but there are situations that demand emergent response, as well as critical care that lasts beyond the breakdown. Partial hospitalization is an effective course of treatment for many psychiatric episodes. 

Inpatient psychiatric facility 

In certain cases of mental health crisis, it becomes necessary to seek a long-term, intensive treatment. Psychiatric facilities and hospitals have all the treatment options, support and care that a person needs to face mental illness.

In an inpatient psychiatric facility, you will have access to:

• Medication treatment

• One on one therapy

• Medication education

• Group therapy

• Other alternative therapeutic activities

A mental health facility provides you with the ability to be relieved from your current life’s pressures and stresses, a safe space to heal and an array of treatment options to get you to a place of mental health and stability before you re-enter normal life again. 

At mental hospitals and facilities, there is the option to voluntarily admit yourself – meaning you admit yourself into the facility for long-term care. This is usually the case for adults who are suffering with an acute mental health condition, who are needing an intensive treatment with a constant level of care. They have either personally elected to seek this form of treatment or perhaps been referred by their practitioner or psychiatrist. 

In addition to the voluntary admission to mental hospitals, there are many cases in which adults and adolescents are admitted to the care facility by their guardian or a doctor. Adolescent inpatient treatment is common for young adults and teens who are in a mental health crisis. Their needs and care demands are greater than their guardian or practitioner is able to provide, so they are admitted to a treatment center. Intensive inpatient treatment programs are proven to be extremely effective and successful for people of all ages. 

Intensive outpatient psychiatric treatment

If inpatient mental health treatment at either a hospital or psychiatric treatment center is beyond your needs, there are several outpatient treatment options. In addition, if you are transitioning out of a mental health hospital program and are still needing support, there are outpatient programs that offer day-time therapy and support, while you are able to be out living in your own home. This option allows you to ease back into your normal life, while also keeping you immersed in the mental health care you require during the day. In these treatments you would have access to therapy, group therapy, medication care and other therapeutic activities.

Outpatient programs serve as a stepping stone between a short or long-term hospital stay and returning to life under no daily mental health treatment. The transition from inpatient treatment can often be a “rude awakening”, and the adjustment can impact your fragile mental state. Having a mental health treatment program through that transition can protect your health and well-being. 

Outpatient care 

Very often, mental illness or mental health conditions of any kind can be treated in less intensive situations under the care of a psychiatrist or other health care provider. If you are experiencing mental health challenges that need the care of a physician, beyond therapy, finding a psychiatrist in your area who you can begin seeing on a regular basis can be beneficial. A psychiatrist will be able to support you through your challenges, as well as prescribe you mental health medications as needed. If you are suffering with addiction or substance abuse issues, a psychiatrist will also be able to treat you with medication to support you in managing those issues.  

At Insight Northwest Counseling, we have several mental health therapists who each specialize in different areas such as individual therapy, family therapy, couples counseling, addiction recovery and more.

In addition to our counseling services, we now offering psychiatric care. Our psychiatric services include medication treatment for conditions such as anxiety, depression, mood disorders and addiction issues. We are able to offer in-person care, as well as telehealth care depending on your location and comfort level in our current climate. 

If you are seeking the support of a professional and think that outpatient psychiatric care might be the best option for you, schedule a consult with us. We are here for you and ready to help support you on your journey to healing.