Understanding the Different Levels of Mental Health Care

Dec 29

Seek the Appropriate Path for Healing

Collective Hope offers outpatient mental health treatment. This means we provide therapy, typically on a weekly basis, to address specific diagnoses or issues such as trauma or anxiety, to work through ongoing concerns like relationships, attachment, or major life transitions, or to support self-reflection, inner healing, and personal growth in general.

Curious about other levels of care? Read on for tips to help guide you or your loved ones in seeking the appropriate path for stabilization and healing. Early intervention and the right support can make all the difference in mental health recovery.

There are six levels of care: crisis stabilization, inpatient, residential, partial hospitalization (sometimes called PHP), intensive outpatient (IOP), and outpatient services.

1. Crisis Stabilization

Purpose: Immediate support for those in acute distress

What it Treats: Severe anxiety, suicidal thoughts, or other urgent mental health issues
Goal: Provide a safe, short-term environment to stabilize the condition and assess further treatment needs
Where: Crisis centers or emergency departments
How Long: From a few hours to a couple of days
When to Use: If you’re experiencing immediate, severe distress and need urgent mental health support

2. Inpatient Care (Acute Psychiatric Care)

Purpose: Intensive, round-the-clock care for serious mental health conditions

What it Treats: Major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other severe mental health issues
Goal: 24/7 monitoring and professional support to ensure safety and manage symptoms
Where: Psychiatric hospitals or mental health units in general hospitals
How Long: Typically a few days to a few weeks, depending on the individual’s progress
When to Use: If you are at risk of harming yourself or others and need constant care and supervision

3. Residential Treatment

Purpose: Long-term support in a structured living environment

What it Treats: Chronic or severe mental health conditions
Goal: Step down from inpatient care, focusing on stabilization and recovery in a more relaxed, controlled environment
Where: Residential treatment centers or therapeutic communities
How Long: Weeks to months
When to Use: If you need extended care but can live outside a hospital setting, focusing on long-term recovery

4. Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP)

Purpose: Intensive treatment more than outpatient care but less than inpatient treatment

What it Treats: People who need more support than traditional outpatient care but do not require full hospitalization
Goal: Provide structured treatment while allowing individuals to return home each evening
Where: PHP centers or specialized outpatient mental health facilities
How Long: Usually several weeks with daily sessions (4-6 hours per day)
When to Use: For when you need a structured and intensive care but can safely return home each night

5. Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP)

Purpose: High-level treatment for those needing more support than traditional outpatient care

What it Treats: Moderate to severe mental health issues
Goal: Provide intensive support with individual, group, and family therapy, along with medication management
Where: Outpatient clinics, mental health centers, IOP facilities
How Long: Typically a few weeks to a couple of months
When to Use: If you need more support than traditional therapy but can function independently outside of a residential setting

6. Outpatient Care

Purpose: Ongoing, less intensive treatment for those who can manage daily life but need regular support

What it Treats: Mild to moderate mental health conditions that have stabilized
Goal: Regular therapy sessions and medication management to maintain mental health and prevent relapse
Where: Private therapy offices, community mental health centers, outpatient clinics
How Long: Short-term or long-term, depending on individual needs
When to Use: When you can live independently and manage daily life but desire ongoing support to maintain well-being

In Summary

When it comes to mental health treatment, you have options. This depends on the severity of the condition and the type of support you need. Offering mental health care at various levels of intensity ensures that you receive the right type of care whether you’re experiencing a crisis, need ongoing support or somewhere in between. If you're not sure what type of care is right for you or a loved one, consult with a mental health professional who can guide you to the most appropriate treatment.