Understanding mental health care is just like knowing different specialties with healthcare in general. For example, if you have chest pains, your primary care physician may refer you to a cardiologist. It is the same for general mental health. There are five levels of care, when it comes to mental health, that everyone should know.
This is the level your therapists (LCSW, LMFT, LPC, PsyD, PhD) and psychiatrists are in. They are your first defense for mental health.
Level 2 Intensive Outpatient
This is typically the level for those who may need a higher level of care than meeting with their therapist once a week. This level typically includes individual therapy as well as group therapy and working on building additional coping skills.
Level 3 Partial Hospital
This is the level that helps individuals avoid a crisis who are on the brink as well as individuals who may be experiencing behavioral problems. This level of care also includes group therapy, coping skills building, as well as seeing a psychiatrist for medication management.
Level 4 Inpatient
Most inpatient hospitals are acute stabilization center. Meaning that they help stabilize individuals who are going through a crisis such as current suicidal thoughts or active psychosis.
Level 5 Residential
This is the level that helps individuals who are not currently in crisis; however, need more intensive hands on care. This level of care is typically for individuals who have more serious mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar, and personality disorders.
