Inpatient, mental health treatment is a medically-based and clinically-focused approach to treating psychiatric disorders. It can be a short-term or long-term solution.

Acute care is often the first step in treating a mental health disorder, particularly substance-use-related disorders. You will receive around-the-clock support from doctors, nurses, and therapists during this time.

Reduces Risk of Relapse

Behavioral health treatment for mental illness is a complex and specialized area of healthcare. Many people require more than a brief inpatient stay to get their condition under control and learn new ways of managing symptoms and triggers.

A critical factor in developing and maintaining recovery is a comprehensive understanding of the factors that increase the risk of relapse, which can occur at any time. Creating a personalized relapse prevention plan, which outlines internal and external triggers and healthy coping strategies, can help individuals to reduce relapse risk.

The most common risk factors for relapse include poor self-care, such as not taking medications on schedule, not exercising, or not reaching out to a supportive recovery support system. It is also essential to eliminate substances (e.g., drugs and alcohol) from the environment. Avoiding places where drugs or alcohol have been used, removing traces of drug use from home, and deleting contact information associated with previous substance use are all excellent practices to decrease relapse risk.

Improves Quality of Life

The impact of mental health disorders on people, their families, and the community is immense. Depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders are associated with many outcomes, including poor self-esteem and social functioning, impaired relationships, low productivity at work, and increased risks of violence.

Society bears most of the cost of treating mental health disorders. These costs include direct medical expenses, social services such as disability benefits, and the broader costs of the stigma and discrimination associated with mental health.

Behavioral health professionals like Sam Lee Prospect Medical are often scarce, and many people living in areas with shortages lack access to treatment. This is especially true for rural and under-resourced communities.

Acute care in a hospital can provide a safe place for people to get the help they need during a mental health crisis. However, patients typically need ongoing care once they leave the hospital to prevent relapse. Fortunately, some options can address this need without putting patients in the psychiatric ward.

Provides Support for Families

Acute care is usually the first option when a patient needs immediate mental health attention. Depending on where you live, you might be admitted to a hospital or a standalone private psychiatric facility that’s part of a more extensive healthcare system.

A well-designed acute care program will offer various treatment options, including short-term inpatient, outpatient, and day treatment. This multifaceted approach will not only improve the quality of life for the individual, but it will also reduce the risk of relapse and enhance self-esteem.

The staff is the most critical component of any acute care mental health program. Ideally, the therapists and nurses will take a collaborative approach to treat the patient. They will work closely with the patient and their family to create a personalized treatment plan tailored to their needs. The team will also ensure the patient is on their way to recovery promptly.

Boosts Self-Esteem

Self-esteem is a critical component of recovery. A person with low self-esteem often struggles to maintain relationships and is more likely to relapse.

Luckily, there are various ways to boost self-esteem and promote positive self-image. Some examples include mindfulness activities, relaxation exercises, yoga, and artistic expression.

Mental health professionals use these tools to help patients learn new coping skills and improve their emotional well-being. They also teach patients how to be more compassionate toward themselves and others.

Another self-esteem booster is group therapy. Group members share their stories, give and receive feedback, and support each other’s recovery.

Adolescents with psychiatric or behavioral issues may benefit from short-term acute care treatment. These services provide around-the-clock support with group therapy, medication management, and physician supervision seven days a week.