Understanding Mental Health Services: A Comprehensive Overview

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, approximately one-fourth of adults in the U.S. suffered from a mental illness in 2007. Untreated mental illness is linked to decreased job performance, job loss, homelessness, decreased quality of life and other problems.

Medication Management

• Medication is the most frequently accessed mental health service. General practitioners, psychiatrists and other medical professionals licensed to prescribe medications can provide this service.

Therapy

• Therapy is provided by a trained professional such as a social worker, counselor or psychologist on an individual basis or in a group setting, for the purpose of teaching new skills and building upon strengths in order to improve management of symptoms.

Case Management

• Case management offers a wide range of services, including daily living training, crisis intervention, linking to outside services and care planning.

Inpatient Treatment

• Inpatient treatment refers to services offered in a hospital setting in cases where a person appears to be a danger to self or others due to psychosis, depression, or another symptom.

Supervised Group Living

• Supervised group living refers to a residential facility where an individual resides until they learn the skills necessary to live independently in the community, including daily living skills and coping skills for managing symptoms.