Any person can experience mental health problems. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 25% of adults in the U.S. live with a mental illness.
Treatment for people diagnosed with mental conditions may include counseling, psychotherapy, medication therapy and rehabilitation. The CDC reports common mental health services include crisis services, support and therapy, substance use support, and hospitalization.
Emergency Mental Health Services
First responders are often called to intervene in mental health crises. While first responders are generally well trained to care for those injured or distressed physically, training for critical intervention can be lacking. FHE Health reports crisis intervention training is crucial for first responders to properly handle a mental crisis situation. In the U.S., nearly 60% of adults experiencing a mental health condition do not receive any help. Nearly 40 million Americans experience some type of anxiety and more than 16 million suffer from depression, according to NAMI.
Frequently, a 911 call to an emergency situation or crime scene involves an individual who is living with some form of mental illness. For example, 24% of those incarcerated have a recent history of mental illness. First responders who receive mental health crisis training are more capable of recognizing when a mental health condition or crisis may be present. This knowledge is critical to how first responders respond to the situation and what services they provide to the person. Research shows that police officers who receive crisis intervention training improve mental health crisis outcomes.
Those officers are able to better gauge use of force in emergency situations and are more likely to negotiate with the individual and work toward connecting them to the services they need. Overall, research shows crisis response teams that undergo crisis intervention training are less likely to arrest those suffering from a mental health crisis than those that do not receive specialized crisis intervention training.
A mental health condition can mean that a person feels like they are in a crisis situation, and that can sometimes create a dangerous situation. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offers five ways to keep a mental health situation from becoming an emergency.
- Evaluate the situation: Is the situation urgent? If someone has developed a plan to kill themselves, that is an immediate mental health crisis. That person should immediately be taken to a hospital emergency room. If they resist, 911 should be called. If you’re not sure if the situation is urgent, call or text 988 or go to org.
- Avoid a crisis: If you live with a mental health condition, it is important to plan ahead. Consult with your treatment team about where to go for intensive treatment. Most importantly, a person living with a mental health condition needs to know how to reach out to mental health professionals in the case of an emergency.
- Consult a doctor: Anyone feeling their brain health worsening should immediately contact their mental health professional to explain the situation. If the person does not have a mental health professional, they should make an urgent appointment with one to begin support and treatment quickly.
- Reach out to others: Friends, family and support groups can offer support in difficult times. Contact NAMI at 1-800-950-6264 or info@nami.org to receive support and information about resources in your community. A “warmline” can also offer local resources for a person experiencing a brain health issue. Dial 211 for information on local services.
- Take care of yourself: There are many ways to improve mental health. Meditation, quiet reflection, talking about your issues with a friend and prescribed medications can all help improve mental health. Most importantly, having a long-term treatment plan and knowing that many forms of help are available to you can be key to good brain health.
What is psychiatric hospitalization?
Psychiatric hospitalization is a mental health service option for when a person with a mental illness cannot remain in their home. Reasons for this can range from the patient deciding this is the best decision for themself to the patient displaying dangerous behavior toward themself or others. Psychiatric hospitalization can allow a patient to be closely monitored and accurately diagnosed, have their medications stabilized or adjusted, and remain under monitoring in the event their condition worsens. Inpatient care can be provided by psychiatric wards within hospitals or at private psychiatric hospitals. Care is generally administered by mental health professionals like psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses and group therapists.
What is inpatient mental health treatment?
Inpatient mental health treatment is a mental health service option that generally lasts no more than 90 days. Inpatient mental health programs are offered for patients suffering from mental health conditions and provide care and risk assessment around the clock. This can be critical when a patient poses a serious risk to themselves or others. Patients with acute mood, behavior or thinking disorders, or those requiring intense medication that may cause side effects are often placed in inpatient care facilities. Most inpatient treatment facilities are closed-door, ensuring that patients are unable to leave. This is critical for patients with severe symptoms or those experiencing suicidal thoughts or actions.
What is residential mental health treatment?
In contrast with inpatient care, residential treatment is aimed at a longer-term approach to restoring a patient’s well-being and providing a nurturing environment that promotes recovery. Residential treatment in a home or home-like setting generally lasts for 90 days or longer. Residential treatment is generally less restrictive for patients in need of mental health services. The eventual goal is for the patient to prepare for life after treatment and regain independent function.
What is outpatient mental health treatment?
Outpatient mental health treatment allows patients to receive care without staying in a hospital or other care facility. This treatment option includes services like counseling, group therapy, medical consultations or psychiatric analysis during scheduled sessions. The goal of outpatient treatment is to allow patients to address mental health challenges in an independent setting under the care of professionals. Therapies can include individual, group or family counseling, along with behavioral and interpersonal therapy.
Mental Health Resources List
Immediate support: Call or text 988 if you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide or other brain health crisis.
Disaster Distress Helpline: Call or text 1-800-985-5990.
Abuse/Assault/Violence
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 or text LOVEIS to 22522.
National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-4AChild (1-800-422-4453) or text 1-800-422-4453.
National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or Online Chat.
LGBTQ+
Trans Lifeline: 1-877-565-8860 (para español presiona el 2).
The Trevor Project’s TrevorLifeline: 1-866-488-7386.
Older Adults
The Eldercare Locator: 1-800-677-1116 — TTY Instructions.
Alzheimer’s Association Helpline: 1-800-272-3900 (para español presiona el 2).
Veterans/Active-Duty Military
Veteran’s Crisis Line: 988 then select 1, or Crisis Chat or text: 838255.
Finding Treatment
FindTreatment.gov. Find a provider treating substance use disorders, addiction and mental illness.
American Psychiatric Association Foundation. Find a psychiatrist.
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Finder.
American Psychological Association. Find a psychologist.
Iowa Mental Health Resources:
IowaMHDSRegions.org. Find brain health professionals near you.
Your Life Iowa is the statewide crisis line that provides information and referral, counseling, crisis service coordination, and linkages to crisis screening and mental health services, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call 855-581-8111, text 855-895-8398 or chat at YourLifeIowa.org.
Iowa Department of Health and Human Services: DHS.Iowa.gov
Iowa MHDS Advisory Groups: DHS.Iowa.gov
Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council: IowaDDCouncil.org
National Alliance on Mental Illness — Iowa: NAMIIowa.org
Iowa’s Area Education Agencies Mental Health: IowaAEAMentalHealth.org