Millions of people in the United States and around the world live with mental health conditions. Conditions like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and personality disorders can impact a person’s daily functioning. They can affect physical health, emotional well-being, relationships, and more.
Most mental health disorders respond to treatment. Treatment may include medications, lifestyle changes, specialized therapies, and holistic practices. Comprehensive treatment cannot cure mental illness, but it can help people manage their symptoms effectively.
There are many levels of care in mental health treatment. People sometimes use different terms to describe these levels of care. Some people may use the terms “psych ward” or “mental hospital” to describe inpatient mental health care.
But what do these terms mean, and what is the difference between these types of treatment? This article will answer those questions. You will learn:
- What happens in a psychiatric ward
- What care is available in a mental hospital
- The different levels of mental health care available
- How to determine which level of care is right for you
- Where to find comprehensive mental health treatment and support
If you or someone you love needs treatment or support to manage mental health symptoms, you are not alone. Contact the Agape Behavioral Health specialists to learn about our programs. You may also reach out with questions or to schedule an intake appointment.
What is a Psych Ward?
People may use the term “psych ward” to describe inpatient care for a mental health crisis. A psychiatric ward typically describes the intensive, short-term care hospitals offer to help people manage a mental health crisis.
Inpatient psychiatric care programs are designed to provide around-the-clock emergency care in a mental health crisis. Some examples of a mental health crisis include:
- Having suicidal thoughts or behaviors
- Experiencing psychotic symptoms
- Exhibiting symptoms of a manic episode
- Unmanageable anxiety
- Obsessive thoughts or compulsive behaviors that impair functioning
During inpatient care, people receive emergency care from medical and mental health professionals. Their treatment team develops a short-term treatment plan to stabilize the crisis. Then, people work with their team to create an aftercare plan.
People may stay in a psychiatric unit for just a few days or several weeks, depending on their needs. The primary goal of inpatient psychiatric care is to stabilize a person’s symptoms and give them a treatment plan to maintain stability after discharge.
Agape Behavioral Center accepts many private insurance plans
What is a Mental Hospital?
People may use the term “mental hospital” to describe a facility that offers mental health treatment. Many mental health facilities provide several levels of care, including residential and outpatient care.
Here is an overview of several common levels of mental health care.
Residential care
Some mental health treatment centers offer residential programs, allowing people to live on-site while receiving intensive treatment. Treatment plans may include:
- Medication management
- Individual, family, and group therapy
- Behavioral therapies
- Relapse prevention education
- Psychoeducation groups about coping skills, stress reduction, symptom management, and more
- Holistic therapies, including yoga, nutrition support, mindfulness, and others
Supervision and treatment in a safe, supportive environment can help people address the complex roots of mental health conditions and effectively manage symptoms.
Partial hospitalization programs (PHP)
PHPs provide intensive treatment that mirrors the schedule of inpatient care. However, it is an outpatient level of treatment, meaning people return home in the evening after treatment sessions. People in a PHP can spend 30 hours or more engaging in medication management, counseling, education, and other evidence-based therapies.
Intensive outpatient programs (IOP)
IOPs offer intensive, outpatient treatment for mental health conditions. People in an IOP may attend treatment sessions several days per week, spending 20 hours or more receiving care. Many treatment centers offer evening sessions, allowing people to continue working or attending school while receiving critical care.
Outpatient rehab
Outpatient mental health rehab programs include group therapy, counseling, medication management, and other therapies on a flexible schedule. People may attend sessions one or more days per week, or as often as their treatment team recommends.
Contact the Agape Behavioral Health specialists to learn about our treatment programs or to schedule an intake appointment.
What is the Difference Between a Psych Ward and a Mental Hospital?
The primary difference between a psych ward vs mental hospital is the intensity and duration of treatment. A psychiatric ward offers intensive medical and mental health treatment to stabilize people in crisis. People may remain in a psychiatric ward for just days or longer, depending on their needs.
A mental health hospital or facility offers long-term care. These facilities typically offer multiple levels of care, allowing people to get tailored treatment to manage their mental health condition for life. People may receive care in a mental health facility for weeks, months, or longer, as needed.
Find Comprehensive Mental Health Treatment Today
Contact the Agape Behavioral Health specialists to determine which level of care is best for your needs. Reach out to ask questions, get assistance verifying insurance, or schedule an intake appointment.
