How to Pick a Mental Health Program

Mental health has become a much more recognized issue in today’s world. Thanks to more education and awareness our society has become more adept at recognizing and supporting mental health problems. A problem that ranges from mild to extreme and life debilitating. Professionals have seen a dramatic increase in 2020 as a result of the current climate of world events. Chances are if someone was considering some sort of mental health aid before 2020, they are now desperate.

Navigating health programs can be daunting if you don’t know what to look for. In cases of mental illness and mental illness programs, that task can be that much harder. Getting familiar with what options are out there and the best ways to navigate mental health programs can be as easy as a phone call away. Here’s what you should know first.

Types of help:

1. Individual therapy – This is one on one with a therapist. Sessions can include things like psychoanalysis or cognitive behavioral therapy. This approach is usually the first and most popular approach.
2. Group therapy – Groups are generally formed with a common theme. Group therapy helps develop communication skills and provides a platform for people to develop self awareness by listening to others with similar problems. Group therapy is not for everyone but can be helpful with specific things like addiction. This therapy is often used as a supplement to another type of therapy.
3. Family therapy – Like group therapy, but the group is specific to a family.
4. Support groups – Support groups are like group therapy but with a different focus. In a support group you are surrounded by people in similar situations as a way to help each other cope and not feel alone.
5. Intensive outpatient care – An IOC will generally involve a clinical and medical assessment with a treatment plan based on that information. Most programs will involve more than one meeting per week with possible combinations of individual and group therapy. More intensive than regular therapy but does not require a stay at a facility.
6. Partial hospitalization – An intensive program that requires hospitalization or a stay at a care facility with more direct monitoring.
7. Psychiatric medications and outpatient medical management – Depending on the diagnosis, medication and medication management by a doctor may be necessary. This treatment could be included with any other form of therapy.

Picking a program can involve a variety of factors. What level of treatment is needed? What is covered by insurance? What is affordable? All of this can be overwhelming on its own. If being tackled by someone or a loved one of someone with a mental health issue, it can feel impossible. Much like a therapist is there to help with your mental illness, a healthcare advocate is there to help with your mental illness program.

Hiring The Patient Advocate Agency is the easiest first step you can take. The Patient Advocate Agency will help organize any information you already have, find the best programs for your needs, deal with your insurance company to make sure you get all the coverage you are entitled to and work with your budget. Insurance companies can be quick to deny claims, even when coverage is available which can lead to excessive bills and frustrations. The last thing someone with mental illness needs to deal with. One of the benefits of an advocate is their experience dealing with such things. With an advocate by your side you can relax and focus on getting the help needed.