Mental health conditions can impact every aspect of a person’s life. The symptoms of a mental health disorder can affect a person’s physical health, relationships, emotional well-being, and more.
Disorders like depression, anxiety, personality disorders, and more are common. Some experts believe about half of all adults in the United States will experience a mental illness at some point in their lives. There are many treatment programs that can help people manage the symptoms of a mental illness.
Long-term mental health treatment programs provide intensive support for people with new or worsening mental health symptoms. Long-term care programs can help to stabilize people and give them the skills to manage their mental health condition effectively.
This article will explore long-term psychiatric treatment programs. You will learn:
- What to expect in a long-term treatment program
- The benefits of long-term mental health care
- How to determine when to seek mental health treatment
- Where to find inpatient and outpatient treatment options for mental health conditions
If you or someone you love requires treatment for a mental health condition, you are not alone. Contact the Agape Behavioral Health specialists to learn about our treatment and support programs. Reach out with questions or to schedule an intake appointment.
What is Long-Term Mental Health Treatment?
Long-term mental health treatment programs are generally residential care for psychiatric disorders. This intensive level of care provides round-the-clock supervision and comprehensive treatment plans. Inpatient mental health treatment programs are the highest level of care for people living with mental health conditions.
Residential treatment facilities for adults provide tailored treatment programs for people aged 18 and older. Some residential mental health treatment programs also offer separate support for children, adolescents, and young adults.
What Happens in a Long-Term Mental Health Facility?
Long-term residential treatment programs provide intensive, continuous support to help people manage mental health conditions. Here is an overview of what to expect from long-term mental health care.
Assessments
Medical and mental health professionals typically assess each person at the beginning of treatment. This assessment can help the treatment team create the most effective treatment plan. The team continues to evaluate each person throughout the program, ensuring that people receive tailored care at each stage.
Medications
Some people may take prescription medications to reduce or manage mental health symptoms. During treatment, people meet with doctors regularly to find the medications that work best for them.
Behavioral therapies
Behavioral therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) are common in long-term mental health treatment programs. During treatment, people may attend individual or group sessions. Therapy can help people explore the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It can also help them learn healthy coping skills to reduce stress and manage their symptoms effectively.
Holistic therapies
Many long-term mental health programs include holistic therapies, such as:
- Art and music
- Writing
- Exercise
- Nutrition counseling and support
- Yoga
- Mindfulness
- Nature therapy
These therapies can help people reduce stress and improve their overall health during treatment.
Aftercare planning
Many people must learn how to manage a mental health condition for life. During treatment, people work with their treatment team to develop an aftercare plan that may include:
- Regular mental health care
- Medical treatment
- Social work or ARMHS referrals
- Holistic therapies
- Support groups
- Individual therapy
These and other activities can help people maintain their mental health and work toward their goals outside of treatment.
Agape Behavioral Center accepts many private insurance plans
What are the Benefits of Long-Term Psychiatric Care?
Long-term mental health treatment programs provide critical structure, treatment, and support. This level of care can help to stabilize people in crisis and provide tools for managing a new or worsening mental health condition.
Some of the benefits of long-term psychiatric treatment programs include:
- Round-the-clock supervision that ensures safety
- A safe, supportive environment
- Assessments and screenings
- Access to medical care and medication management services
- Intensive behavioral therapies and counseling options
- A holistic approach to mental health treatment
- The ability to focus solely on managing mental health conditions
Research shows that long-term programs are more effective than short-term mental health treatment. Longer lengths of stay allow people to get intensive treatment to stabilize during a crisis or to more effectively manage an existing mental health disorder.
When is it Time for Long-Term Mental Health Treatment?
Long-term mental health treatment programs provide intensive support and treatment. How can you determine when it is the best option for yourself or a loved one?
There are several signs someone requires long-term mental health treatment. These include:
- Having severe or persistent symptoms of depression, anxiety, or another mental health condition
- Experiencing hallucinations or delusional thinking
- Being unable to take care of yourself or your environment because of mental health symptoms
- Having severe relationship issues
- Using substances to cover up or cope with mental health symptoms
- Experiencing new or worsening mental health symptoms
- Having thought of self-harm or suicide
If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, seek help by calling 911.
Mental health treatment can help people understand their mental health condition and learn to manage it effectively. Contact the Agape Behavioral Health specialists to determine if long-term mental health treatment is right for you.
Find Treatment Now
If you or someone you love is struggling with new or worsening mental health symptoms, seek treatment right away. Contact the Agape Behavioral Health specialists to learn about our comprehensive treatment and support programs or to make an intake appointment.
