Watching someone you care about suffer from a mental health crisis can be an overwhelming experience, and you may feel helpless to offer support if you’ve never had to navigate the behavioral healthcare system before. But knowing what to expect can help you be a stronger source of love and support for your loved one as they begin treatment for a mental health challenge.
Before your loved one is admitted into treatment, there are a few steps you may need to help them with to ensure that they receive the most appropriate care for their current level of need.
Do Your Research
If your loved one is in crisis, taking the time to do research isn’t always feasible. But if you are able to get as much information as possible before venturing into the behavioral healthcare system, you’ll be better prepared to help your loved one get the treatment they need.
If you know what mental health challenge your loved one is suffering from, try to find treatment centers that specialize in caring for that type of concern. By having a list of facilities ready, you’ll be able to guide your loved one to a place that can offer them care that is most beneficial for their specific mental health concern.
Get an Assessment
Regardless of whether you’re able to do any research beforehand, one of the first steps in seeking treatment for your loved one is getting them a comprehensive assessment to evaluate what level of care they need. If your loved one is in a state of crisis, you may need to seek an assessment at an area emergency department. Otherwise, you can schedule an assessment with a behavioral healthcare treatment facility, a psychiatrist, a psychologist, or a medical provider.
Once your loved one has undergone an assessment, you will know what level of care they need, whether that’s an inpatient program, a residential program, a partial hospitalization program (PHP), an intensive outpatient program (IOP), or traditional outpatient therapy.
Choose a Mental Health Treatment Center
Many factors can influence how you choose a mental health treatment center, including where your loved one receives their assessment, and the results of that assessment. For example, if your loved one receives an assessment at a facility that offers inpatient care, the admissions team may admit them directly into that facility if they determine that that level of care is appropriate for your loved one.
If your loved one receives an assessment from a medical provider, such as a psychiatrist or psychologist, that provider may be able to recommend a mental health treatment center for your loved one. If you were able to create a list of mental health treatment centers ahead of time, you can also start narrowing down which facilities may be the best fit for your loved one’s needs based on the results of their assessment. Once you choose a mental health treatment facility, your provider can make a referral to get the admissions process started.
Inpatient mental health treatment centers like Haverhill Pavilion Behavioral Health Hospital can guide you through the behavioral healthcare system, answering any questions you might have about how to get your loved one the right level of care for their specific needs. If someone you care about is experiencing a mental health crisis, you are not alone. Mental health treatment facilities like Haverhill Pavilion specialize in helping families and their loved ones get on the path to healthier, more fulfilling lives. With proper treatment and the support of the people closest to them, your loved one can experience successful, long-term recovery.