How well you manage day-to-day life is greatly influenced by your mental health. When your mental health is in a good place, it helps you stay productive—whether it’s at work, school, or while caring for others. It also makes it easier to build and maintain healthy relationships. You’ll find it easier to adapt to change and handle life’s challenges.
On the other hand, mental illness includes a wide range of conditions that affect how you think, feel, and act. It can cause clear changes in feelings or actions. This often makes social, work, or family life harder.
Sometimes, people hesitate to discuss mental health issues. However, it’s important to remember that there is no shame in this. Mental disease is just like any other health condition—like heart disease or diabetes—and it’s treatable. Your mental health deserves care and attention, just like any other part of your well-being.
Mental health treatment includes various methods like therapy, medication, and support systems. These approaches help you manage your mental health. They also aim to improve your well-being and teach you ways to cope with life’s challenges.
It can happen in many places. This includes an outpatient clinic, a therapy office, a hospital, or a rehabilitation center. The best mental health treatment program is one that is tailored to you.
It’s not one-size-fits-all—which can mean a combination of different approaches. Depending on what you’re dealing with, treatment could be short-term or take longer to work through.
We have made great progress in treating mental health conditions. Today, doctors treat many of these conditions along with physical health issues.
Somatic treatment options include things like medications, electroconvulsive therapy, and therapies that stimulate the brain—such as transcranial magnetic stimulation or vagus nerve stimulation.
Psychotherapy treatments are more focused on talk therapy. This can be individual therapy, group therapy, family or marital counseling, and even specific behavior therapy techniques like relaxation training or exposure therapy. Hypnotherapy can also be part of the mix.
Studies show that combining medications with psychotherapy usually works better than relying on just one treatment on its own.
While psychiatrists are well-known for treating mental health issues, they aren’t the only ones trained to help. and psychiatric nurse practitioners, clinical psychologists, and social workers are also part of the mental health care team. The key difference is that psychiatrists—and, in some states, psychiatric nurse practitioners—are licensed to prescribe medications. Most other mental health professionals focus on psychotherapy.
It’s important to know that primary care doctors can prescribe mental health medications. This includes members of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) who are licensed family physicians.
Therapy, also known as psychotherapy or counseling, is one of the most widely used forms of mental health treatment. It involves talking with a therapist or counselor to explore thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and life experiences.
There are several types of therapy, including:
In some cases, other therapies and medications are not effective, and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may be considered. ECT is mainly used to help with severe depression and PTSD that happen at the same time.
It can also be a treatment option for people with eating disorders. This is true for those who do not improve with other treatments.
This is especially important for serious disorders like anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa. This is especially true if they also have other mental health problems, such as depression or thoughts of suicide. The National Institute of Health states that electroconvulsive therapy should only be used when other treatments and medications fail.
Mental health experts often prescribe these medications to help ease mental health symptoms. Common mental health drugs include:
Antidepressants are often used to manage depression and related conditions like borderline personality disorder.
Psychotic Disorders like Schizophrenia:
Anxiety Disorders:
Bipolar Disorder:
Attention Deficit Disorder:
There are times when mental health struggles become so overwhelming that hospitalization might be the best option. If you or someone you know is in danger, getting help is important. This is true for both themselves and others. If there is a big crisis, going to an inpatient facility can really help.
In this setting, you’ll receive 24/7 care in a safe, supportive environment. You can focus entirely on recovery without distractions, surrounded by experts who can guide you through intensive treatment. Residential care can vary:
A support group is a meet-up where people come together to help each other work towards long-term recovery. Examples are:
These groups typically consist of people who aren’t professionals but rather fellow individuals who have faced similar difficulties. They provide emotional support, motivation, and a feeling of community, along with practical tips for handling mental health.
Many people discover that alternative and complementary methods can improve their well-being. This is especially true when these methods are used with traditional therapies or medications. Here are some options that could be part of your journey:
Many people find these treatments helpful. However, it is smart to talk to your healthcare provider before adding anything new to your routine.
If you notice changes in your mood or behavior, whether in yourself or someone close, take a moment to think. Consider how these changes affect your daily life. You can determine whether it’s time to seek support by asking yourself some critical questions.
It’s essential to take these signs seriously. If you are asking these questions, it may be time to talk to someone. This could be a friend, family member, or a professional.
You don’t have to go through this alone. There’s support out there, and asking for help is a strong and brave step toward feeling better.
Finding the right mental health facility is important for getting the help you need. Here are some pointers to help you choose a facility that meets your requirements.
Start by figuring out what kind of mental health help you need. Decide if you need therapy, medicine, or both. Think about whether you should get care at home (outpatient) or in a facility (inpatient).
Research different treatment facilities, noting their specializations in matters such as addiction, trauma, depression, or anxiety.
Think about your budget and insurance coverage. Mental health treatment can be expensive. Check if your health insurance covers these services.
Also, ask about any possible out-of-pocket costs. Many centers offer payment plans or sliding-scale fees for those in need.
Finally, think about asking healthcare professionals and your friends or family for recommendations. Their personal experiences can help you find the best treatment center for your needs.
We know that cost is a major factor for most people when seeking treatment for drug & alcohol abuse in Virginia. Novara Recovery Center works with most major insurance plans to help cover up to 100% of the costs associated with treatment at our program. To find out your personal options for treatment, get a free verification of insurance benefits right now by clicking the button below.
Individuals can generally expect the following, though mental health treatment services may vary significantly depending on the approach used.
Getting the help you need for your mental health can make a huge difference, but it’s not always an easy path. Along the way, there are a few common challenges you might face. But despite the challenges, the rewards of mental health treatment are totally worth it.
You’re not alone in facing these challenges. But understanding them is the first step in finding ways to navigate through them.
Even with the obstacles, the benefits are clear.
Supporting someone who is undergoing mental health treatment requires understanding, patience, and empathy.
If you or a loved one faces mental health challenges or substance use disorders, seeking help is crucial for healing. At Novara Recovery Center, we treat substance abuse and mental health issues together. We offer partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs.
Many people who have problems with drugs, alcohol, or other substances also deal with mental health issues. These issues can include depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or bipolar disorder. These problems can feed off each other, making it harder to break free.
We’re here to help with both and support you on your journey to recovery. To begin, contact us at (703) 705-7870, email info@novararecovery.com, or visit us at 2815 Old Lee Hwy Floor 2, Fairfax, VA 22031.
Written By:
Mental Health Writer
Geoffrey Andaria is a seasoned writer and editor specializing in mental health content. With a B.A. in English and Journalism, he possesses a solid foundation in crafting freelance articles and conducting research. Geoffrey has also completed courses in social work. He dedicates himself to providing valuable and informative content for individuals impacted by mental health challenges and addiction.
Medically Reviewed By:
Expert Contributor
Dr. Williams is currently a board member for two non-profit service organizations. He holds a Master’s degree in Human Services from Lincoln University, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
He possesses a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Union Institute and University, located in Cincinnati, Ohio. He holds a license to offer addiction counseling in both New Jersey and Connecticut. Additionally, he has submitted an application to become a licensed psychologist in New Jersey.
