Impairment in functioning
Impairment occurs when the mental health issue becomes debilitating, such as when someone is no longer able to perform routine daily tasks, to care for themselves or others, or exhibits cognitive impairment.
Acute Stabilization for Mental Health
Mental Wellness KS is a mental health crisis center offering residential treatment for individuals who are struggling with an acute mental health event or chronic mental health challenges. This may involve the deterioration of an existing mental health condition, or the individual exhibiting behaviors that indicate they are at risk of hurting themselves or others. The residential setting provides a confidential, safe, and supportive environment for intensive treatment and healing.
When a serious mental health condition results in significant impairment it is appropriate to explore therapeutic solutions that offer a higher level of care. A residential mental health program provides a more comfortable alternative to the psychiatric hospital environment. At Mental Wellness KS, the individual in need of acute stabilization will receive 24-hour monitoring and support to assist them during a mental health crisis.
When Does Someone Require Acute Stabilization?
Struggling with persistent mental health issues and a mental health crisis, such as an anxiety disorder, a depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, presents daily challenges. Through the services of a private practice psychiatrist or an outpatient program, these conditions can stabilize and be well managed. However, in some instances the individual’s state of mental health may suddenly worsen.
Signs that a mental illness has become a serious psychiatric event revolve around the level of impaired functioning or whether someone has become a danger to oneself or others. When the symptoms of a mental health disorder have worsened, the following signs would indicate need for acute stabilization services and residential care:
Steadily worsening mental health can indicate the need for a higher level of care, such as a residential treatment program.
Recognizing Suicide Risk
Certain serious mental health conditions, such as depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD are risk factors for suicide. Most people who have died by suicide are found to have had a treatable mental health disorder, with depression being the prevailing one. Recognizing the signs of a suicide risk allows loved ones to intervene early on and obtain acute stabilization services.
Warning signs of suicide might include:
When a loved one is seriously at risk of committing suicide, the individual should receive immediate intervention. Acute stabilization can be provided at a medical hospital, a psychiatric hospital, or a residential mental health center such as Palm Springs Behavioral Health. For individuals who struggle with ongoing thoughts of suicide, the residential treatment option is appropriate.
Understanding Levels of Care
If an individual is struggling with a serious mental health crisis it is helpful to understand the various levels of psychiatric care.
These fall into the following categories:
Private Practice
Most individuals receive their ongoing care through a mental health practitioner, such as a psychiatrist or psychotherapist.
Outpatient Programs
When the individual requires a more intensive level of care, an outpatient program, also referred to as a day program, can provide several hours per week of therapeutic activities at a mental health facility.
Residential Programs
If the individual experiences further psychiatric instability and outpatient treatment has not provided relief of symptoms, a residential program is appropriate. This offers 24-hour support and intensive therapy.
Hospitalization
If a sudden acute event occurs, such as a suicide attempt or psychotic break, hospitalization may be the appropriate setting. The hospital setting will separate the individual from others, possibly restrain the person, and provide round the clock stabilization actions.
Acute Stabilization and Residential Mental Health Treatment
Someone experiencing an acute, brief psychiatric event may first require acute stabilization before entering a residential mental health treatment program.
Acute stabilization services include:
Residential treatment interventions include:
Medication
Psychotropic medications include antidepressants, antipsychotics, antianxiety medications, and mood stabilizers, which are prescribed along with psychotherapy and other treatment measures.
Psychotherapy
Evidence-based psychotherapies are those that have been clinically studied and shown to be effective and safe for treating mental health disorders. The most commonly used are cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, interpersonal therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, solutions-focused therapy, and exposure therapy.
Adjunctive Therapies
Complementary therapeutic activities can enhance clinical results, such as eye movement desensitization (EMDR) or neurofeedback.
Recreation and Fitness
Residential mental health programs incorporate exercise into the treatment plan because of the many benefits it has on mental health. These activities might include swimming, participation in sports, walking, cycling, or hiking.
Experiential or Holistic Therapies
Experiential activities, such as mindfulness meditation, yoga classes, art therapy, and deep-breathing techniques, are often included in the treatment plan for their relaxation benefits.
