Understanding the Different Levels of Mental Health Treatment
Knowing the levels of mental health treatment is essential, as it enables individuals to understand the available options for effectively addressing crises or emotional challenges tailored to their specific needs.
By understanding each level of care—from hospitalization for severe situations to outpatient care for those needing regular follow-up—people can make informed decisions about the type of support that best fits their circumstances.
Through a valuable partnership with Sin Salud Mental No Hay Salud, a segment of El Mundo Boston, My Health Fair provides resources and expert knowledge to help families and individuals lead healthier and more balanced lives.
Recently, mental health therapist and expert Isis Argueta-Ramos shared her insights on:
The different levels of mental health treatment and their importance in addressing crisis situations, such as domestic violence.
Argueta-Ramos, the Director of Community Services at Arbour Counseling Services, highlighted the importance of understanding these options:
From emergency hospitalization to outpatient care, these steps are essential in meeting mental health needs.
Levels of Mental Health Treatment
Understanding these levels of treatment helps reduce the stigma surrounding mental health care, especially in communities like the Latino community, where discussing these issues can still be challenging.
Knowing that there are tiered treatment options, where support can be adapted to the level of need, brings security and confidence to those who might fear seeking help due to the misconception that only extreme measures are available.
It also allows family and friends to know how to support someone in crisis or undergoing treatment by identifying resources like group therapy, crisis services, and support lines—avoiding the need to wait until the problem worsens.
Level One: Hospitalization
This occurs during a severe crisis when the patient requires constant observation in a safe environment.
For less critical cases, Boston has crisis centers such as:
Boston Medical Center’s crisis center, which offers observation without requiring locked-door hospitalization.
Level Two: Partial Hospitalization
Patients attend daytime group therapy sessions and receive medication reviews.
This level of treatment allows for immersion in the therapeutic process, while patients return to their daily lives at the end of the day.
Many in the Latino community are unaware of the benefits of group therapy and may sometimes hesitate to participate.
However, this type of treatment can be transformative, providing new tools and routines.
Other Levels of Treatment and Support Options
Next is intensive outpatient treatment, conducted three hours a day, three times a week.
Finally, regular outpatient treatment includes individual therapy, family therapy, and medication monitoring.
Where to Turn in a Crisis
For severe emergencies, calling an ambulance is recommended, rather than driving to the hospital if it isn’t safe to do so.
There are also emergency lines and support options, such as 988, for those needing immediate attention without going to the hospital.
These mental health resources for the Latino community can make a crucial difference by preventing a crisis from becoming more severe and helping people access the level of treatment best suited to their needs.
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