Whether you are considering residential psychiatric facilities for a child, adolescent, adult or mature adult, know that a patient stay lasts three days, 30 days or more depending upon the needs of the patient and doctor recommendations. These facilities have staff on duty 24 hours a day for safety and intense therapeutic help, so that the patient becomes a productive, functioning member of the community when discharged.

Admitting someone to mental health residential facilities is a sign that his or her illness is unmanageable and may be a danger to self or others. Sometimes a person is just realizing he has a mental illness, has medication to adjust, or life stress has become overwhelming. No matter what the reason for seeking an inpatient mental health facility, consider the following when researching providers:

1. Find residential mental health facilities that have age appropriate programs

2. Secure residential mental health facilities with programs focused on the diagnosis

3. Locate a mental health facility close to the person's support network

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Find mental health facilities that are age-appropriate

Every age has special needs, so it is important to find residential mental health facilities with programs that specialize in the proper age group. Being surrounded by health care providers and patients who are aware of age related issues increases comfort and hastens recovery, and you know the care they receive prepares them to return to work and society adequately prepared.

I recommend: If you, a colleague or employee wants answers regarding mental health needs, see The National Alliance on Mental Illness; they have an organization in every state. The Therapeutic Milieu has resource sites to make finding the appropriate psychiatric residential facilities easier.

Choose inpatient mental health facilities that specialize in the diagnosis

Each diagnosis carries special needs that require different care, so make sure the inpatient mental health facility specializes in treating the illness identified. If there is a dual diagnosis, it is very important to ensure the facility has the ability to treat both diagnoses concurrently. The better the facility, the more likely you, your employee or colleague can return to work ready to go.

I recommend: Health Grades offers more information about specific diagnoses, and WebMD is a resource for all your mental health questions from diagnosis, treatment to medications. Search Psychiatric Solutions for behavioral health programs in many U.S. states.

Locate residential mental health facilities convenient for the patient

If possible, locate a facility within a reasonable distance from the patient's support network. Behavioral health facilities and mental health hospitals that are convenient for the patient, as well as the patient's family or friends, provides a greater success rate. The patient has the opportunity to include his or her support network in therapy to ensure a strong support system upon discharge, which provides greater success.

I recommend: Alijor helps you find a provider according to location and diagnosis. The Joint Commission offers a search page for accredited/certified organizations.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Treatment in a residential psychiatric facility is a positive sign that the person wants to return to a fully functioning life. Accept this as a sign that the person is responsible enough to get proper care.

Residential mental health facilities serve a wide range of psychological disorders. Individuals dealing with personality disorders, eating disorders and substance abuse issues often find residential mental facilities a welcome transition between the hospital and independent living. These behavioral health facilities help patients reconnect with themselves and with a healthy lifestyle.

Inpatient mental health facilities offer personalized programs and support to help patients make a successful integration back into society. They are able to stabilize and learn how to manage their illness in a safe and supportive environment. The types of programs available will differ based on the type of disorder affecting the patient. Mental health residential facilities typically specialize in certain areas:

1. Chronic mental illness
2. Substance abuse
3. Personality disorders
   

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Manage chronic mental illness at residential psychiatric facilities

Mental health facilities that treat chronic mental illnesses have varying degrees of supervision and structure. Chronic mental illnesses include schizophrenia, depression, autism and bipolar disorders. Due to the nature and longevity of the illness, these residential psychiatric facilities usually provide monitoring of medication, community-based environment, crisis intervention and counseling.

I recommend: Pasadena Villa in Orlando has a residential treatment plan comprised of education, support and therapy in a comfortable atmosphere. Treatment includes individual and group therapy along with social integration therapy. Parents' Foundation for Transitional Living, Inc., is a two-phase program where patients begin treatment in the residential living center. Once patients are able to manage their illness and show improved psychiatric stability, they may move into the supervised apartment program allowing for greater independence and increased responsibility.

Square off against substance abuse at a mental rehabilitation center

Inpatient mental health facilities recognize that substance abuse recovery is possible when treatment involves a comprehensive suite of services and a community- or faith-based environment. No single treatment plan works for all patients, so it is important to consider the length of care, treatment setting and the individual needs of the patient before choosing residential mental health facilities.

I recommend: La Hacienda Treatment Center in Texas is based on a multi-step approach of individual and group counseling, therapeutic activity, and 12-step meetings. Another inpatient mental health facility, Rimrock Foundation, assures each patient of an individualized treatment plan. Their program treats the whole person, so treatment methods are directed at the special issues unique to each patient.

Address personality disorders at mental health residential facilities

Mental health facilities that treat personality disorders must be experienced in a wide array of infirmities. Personality disorders are marked by severe mood swings, self-hatred, hypersensitivity, explosive anger, depression and eating disorders. The treatment plan is often complex and arduous as deep-rooted issues must be brought to the surface before any progress can be made.

I recommend: SLS Residential has been treating personality disorders for over 2 decades. Their residential treatment consists of a young adult program and a mature adult program for maximum effectiveness. Bridges To Recovery is an inpatient mental health facility that takes a holistic approach to treating personality disorders. This facility specializes in the treatment of mood disorders, depression, panic disorders and post traumatic stress.

Search for a mental health facility near you

You may need to find a residential mental health facility in a particular location.

I recommend: Mental Health America has resources for finding mental health residential facilities, including links for detailed, specific searches.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Voluntary cooperation of the patient is key to successful treatment. If at all possible, involve the patient in the selection of residential mental health facilities.

Mental health residential facilities are places for inpatient treatment, typically a campus or facility, for serious emotional and behavioral disorders. At these facilities, food, shelter, counseling, and 24-hour staff are part of the provisions for intensive therapeutic treatment. Residential psychiatric facilities provide care for children, adolescents, adults and mature adults who suffer from mental illness and generally provide treatment for 30 or more days.

Many benefit from residential care or "out of home" care due to the nature of their illness. Inpatient mental health facilities offer patients time to stabilize and prepare to re-enter society as an independent, functioning member. When considering a residential program, consider the following:

1. Clarify the terms describing residential psychiatric facilities.

2. Understand when mental illness requires residential psychiatric facilities.

3. Know how to admit someone into residential psychiatric facilities

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Get clarification on the types of mental health facilities

Many people use certain terms interchangeably for mental health facilities, such as: residential mental health facilities, inpatient psychiatric facility, residential mental facilities, psychiatric residential facilities, inpatient mental health facility, behavioral health facilities and mental health hospitals. The question is - do they mean the same thing? Inpatient and residential care mean the patient lives in the facility 24 hours a day. Psychiatric and mental health are the same; these specialized facilities treat mental illness to support mental health.

I recommend: For an understanding of the mental health field, see a glossary provided by Counselling Resource. Each inpatient psychiatric facility has specialties, so go to Mental Health America for an overview of illness and treatment options.

Identify when a worker might need inpatient mental health facilities

Mental health facilities come into play when a mental illness affects a person's behaviors, thoughts, feelings and relationships due to environmental stress, genetics predisposition, psychological or biological influences. The person is unable to cope with everyday routines or life pressures. Signs that show the need for extra care include: depression, anxiety, thought/speech difficulty, moodiness and cognitive disorganization. With the help of a professional health-care provider, consider psychiatric residential facilities if a person's symptoms become unmanageable and the person is unable to function within society.

I recommend: Before consulting with a professional, educate yourself in basic mental illness and mental health by looking at SAMSHA's National Mental Health Information Center website. Also, be aware of specific ideas to help with mental illness in the workplace by consulting Psych Central.

Know methods of admitting someone to mental health facilities

There are two ways to gain admittance into psychiatric residential facilities - voluntary and involuntary. Voluntary admittance is when the person is willing to sign themselves into the hospital and commit to stay for a certain time period for evaluation and recommendations, while an involuntary admission is when the person is committed into an inpatient mental health facility against their will. If you need to commit someone, check your state guidelines for residential mental health facilities basics.

I recommend: See the International Journal of Psychosocial Rehabilitation for an overview of how some health-care providers determine the need for voluntary or involuntary admittance into a mental health facility. The American Psychiatric Association studied the methods used to involuntarily commit someone to a mental health facility and discovered nine elements in the process.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consult a professional to determine whether your employee or colleague needs inpatient mental health facilities or outpatient care.

Residential mental health facilities offer a variety of services to patients under various different circumstances. Often times, the terms associated with these services can be somewhat confusing and overwhelming. While some services pertain solely to the individual patient, other services involve the spouse or family members. In addition, facilities vary according to structure, as some facilities are large and locked, while other facilities are smaller and unlocked. To gain a deeper understanding of variations in facility types and services familiarize yourself with the following terms.

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Crisis residential program (CRP)

Crisis residential programs are generally smaller facilities where patients are not locked down. For example, one particular CRP is a six-bedroom hotel like setting, where residents share amenities, such as the kitchen and laundry room. Psychiatrists are generally available on a part-time basis to help prescribe medication for residents as well as monitor progress.

I recommend: To learn more about the services and daily operations of a crisis residential program, visit the website for the Hope Network, Howard Crisis Program.

Outpatient mental health services

Some residential mental health facilities offer outpatient mental health services, which allow patients to receive treatment during the day, while returning home in the evening. Services offered on an outpatient basis may include counseling on an individual, family or couple, as well as medication evaluation and monitoring. Sometimes outpatient care includes a psychological evaluation.

I recommend: Learn more about outpatient mental health services at California Pacific Medical Center, a center that offers a variety of outpatient services.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is a treatment approach that involves the patient engaging in conversation with a mental health provider in order to lessen symptoms related to mental and emotional disorders. The process typically involves exploration of the particular condition affecting the patient, as well as the thoughts, feelings and behaviors associated with that condition. Ideally, through conversation, patients in psychotherapy gain insight into their condition and identify coping strategies to minimize symptoms.

I recommend: The Mayo Clinic offers additional information about psychotherapy, including what to expect in a psychotherapy session, preparation for such a session and risks associated with this type of therapy.

Psychiatric hospital

Psychiatric hospitals, also known as mental hospitals, are locked settings, where patients with serious mental illnesses are treated using the medical model. These facilities are generally large in size and are staffed by trained professionals.

I recommend: Visit Yale-New Haven Psychiatric Hospital's website to attain a better understanding of what psychiatric hospitals offer.

Civil commitment

Civil commitment occurs when a person is involuntarily ordered to receive mental health care because they pose a danger to self or others. Currently, civil commitment can occur under one of three different circumstances: inpatient commitment, outpatient commitment or criminal commitment. While every state within the United States has a civil commitment statute, rules are not necessarily the same in all states.

I recommend: The NYS Commission on Quality of Care and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities discusses the history of civil commitment, the current status of civil commitment and its future.

Psychological assessment

Psychological assessment, often referred to as a psychological evaluation, is generally completed by a psychologist or other appropriately certified individual. During the process of a psychological assessment, the professional may collect information from multiple sources, such as observations, psychological test results, interviews and medical history. Once all of the information has been evaluated, the professional makes a decision regarding the patient's mental health status. Specific types of testing, which may be used during a psychological assessment include intellectual assessment, personality assessment, neuropsychological testing and occupational testing.

I recommend: Additional information about psychological testing and assessment can be found at the American Psychological Association (APA) website.