If you or a family member are one of the millions of people currently fighting mental illness, know that you can get help for your symptoms. Many types of behavioral health programs exist to provide support for as many individuals as possible. For example, those who need the highest level of care may consider an inpatient mental health treatment program.

Inpatient programs for mental health use an assortment of evidence-based treatment options to guide patients toward long-term recovery. Continue reading to learn more about what to expect during treatment, as well as advice on whether an inpatient program would be right for you.

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Signs You Need Inpatient Mental Health Treatment

One of the most difficult steps of improving your mental health involves recognizing when you need professional help. Some people grow so accustomed to living with mental illness that they struggle to identify it in themselves. They may assume their experiences are normal or convince themselves that nothing can better their situation.

Fortunately, neither of those beliefs are true. By learning about common warning signs of mental illness, you can compare them to your own life and determine whether you need inpatient mental health care. Below are three of the most common red flags associated with poor mental health.

Loss of Daily Functioning

Those who cannot fulfill their basic needs, like food and housing, are significantly more likely to experience depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and other mental health conditions. Likewise, even someone with the means to meet those needs may become unable to do so if their mental illness reaches a severe enough extent.

Therefore, one of the primary indicators that someone should consider inpatient mental health treatment involves their ability to function. If they can no longer complete tasks at work, school, or home, it may be time to reach out for professional support. Trained professionals can help individuals return to a point where they can take care of themselves.

Thoughts of Harming Yourself or Others

If someone regularly thinks about death or violence in uncomfortable or uncontrolled quantities, they may benefit from seeking inpatient mental health care. Suicidal ideations, as well as intrusive thoughts of aggression, are both signs of a deeper issue.

Inpatient mental health programs help people who experience thoughts like these by removing them from situations where they could be a risk to themselves or others. Patients can stay under medical supervision as needed until they de-escalate and stabilize.

Furthermore, if you or a loved one are thinking about suicide, don’t wait to get help. Active suicidal thoughts are a medical emergency. Call 911 or 988 immediately to connect with professionals who can support you.

Coping Through Substance Abuse

Another sign of mental illness involves someone’s relationship with substances. For example, drinking alcohol to forget about certain problems is an unhealthy manner of coping with them. If someone resorts to self-medicating through substance abuse, they would likely benefit from professional help.

When someone lives with a mental health condition as well as addiction, they are referred to as co-occurring disorders. Co-occurring disorders often have a cyclical relationship in which one will cause the symptoms of the other to worsen. For that reason, it is vital to seek professional inpatient mental health treatment when someone lives with them.

Mental Health Treatment Options

Whether someone opts for inpatient mental health treatment or a different type of program, their treatment plan will consist of several therapeutic activities. These evidence-based treatment modalities have proven themselves to help people recover from many types of mental health conditions.

Some of the most common and effective treatment options used in mental health care include:

Individual therapy
Group therapy
Medication management
Supplemental therapies
Links to community resources and support groups

These treatment options can be explored through several behavioral health programs, including inpatient mental health treatment. The existence of a variety of treatment programs means that more people can receive the type of care best suited to their unique situations.

With that in mind, let’s discuss what inpatient mental health treatment is and why someone might choose it over other programs.

Benefits of Inpatient Mental Health Treatment

There are numerous reasons why someone may opt for inpatient mental health treatment. For instance, they may lack a stable environment at home, in which case the tranquility and daily structure of inpatient treatment can be a major boon to their recovery.

Other benefits of inpatient mental health treatment include:

Flexibility. Inpatient treatment can cover a broad range of needs. Crisis care services provide intense, short-term inpatient treatment while longer programs exist for those in less acute distress.
Immersion. Inpatient facilities remove external stressors and allow individuals to focus solely on recovery. Each day is planned out to contain a rich assortment of therapeutic activities.
Community. During treatment, patients meet other individuals who understand their unique struggles. These support groups can last long after treatment and result in lifelong bonds.
Support. Inpatient treatment provides 24/7 access to mental health professionals and other trained staff members. In the event someone needs emotional or medical support, they can reach out to a compassionate team who prioritizes their safety.

If inpatient mental health treatment sounds like it could be right for you, the team at Port St. Lucie Hospital can help you build an individualized treatment plan. By assessing your cognitive and emotional needs, we can ensure we find the best fit for your needs.

Alternatives to Inpatient Mental Health Treatment

However, not everyone needs or wants the intensity of inpatient mental health treatment. Instead, some people benefit more from a different level of care, which they can find in the form of various outpatient programs.

Outpatient mental health programs use many of the same treatment options as their inpatient counterparts. The main difference is that patients continue to live at home rather than at the treatment center. Depending on the nature of the program, they may visit the facility anywhere from one to five times a week.

For example, a partial hospitalization program (PHP) sits on the more involved end of the outpatient spectrum. During PHP treatment, patients spend five hours a day participating in therapeutic activities, then return home at night. This gives them more free time to rebuild their relationships, re-engage with their communities, and put what they learn during treatment into practice.

Individuals with a strong support system at home may not need inpatient mental health care. However, that does not mean they can’t benefit from any type of professional treatment. Between PHPs and other types of outpatient programs, anyone can find the right level of help for their needs.

Mental Health Treatment in Port St. Lucie, Florida

Whether you would benefit more from outpatient or inpatient mental health treatment, Port St. Lucie Hospital can help. We are a behavioral health treatment center that provides high quality psychiatric care to those in need.

Anyone who fights against depression, anxiety, addiction, or other mental health concerns can find recovery at Port St. Lucie Hospital. Each of our mental health services ensures patients receive a full continuum of effective, tailored care.

Contact Us Today

If you have any questions about our inpatient mental health care, or if you feel ready to start treatment, reach out to our admissions experts today. You can contact a team member by calling 772-408-5871 or submitting a confidential contact form online. They’ll gladly answer any concerns you may have and provide you with additional information.

Above all, remember that mental illness does not have to prevent you from leading a healthy, fulfilling life. At Port St. Lucie Hospital, you can learn to manage your symptoms and rebuild the life you want.