Alter Mental Health Can Help
Mental health disorders are quite common in the U.S., affecting tens of millions yearly. Unfortunately, many Americans fail to get the help they need due to a lack of knowledge of symptoms or ongoing stigma surrounding mental health treatment. Untreated mental health disorders can get worse, reaching a crisis point. If you experience a mental health crisis, a crisis stabilization unit in San Diego can provide emergency help in a safe, secure environment to get you back into the community quickly.
Alter Mental Health is a short-term stabilization unit in San Diego that is an alternative to inpatient hospitalization. People struggling with an acute mental health crisis can get the help they need in a comfortable environment where they can feel at home. We provide round-the-clock medical and psychiatric care, including monitoring, evidence-based treatment, and medication management. Personalized treatment plans will address the person as a whole to understand the unique circumstances and issues each patient faces. Once patients have been stabilized and are ready to exit the crisis stabilization unit, our clinicians will create a plan for continued recovery.
How Common Are Mental Health Crises?
Mental health crises are more common than you may be aware of. If you are experiencing a mental health breakdown or crisis, you should know you are not alone. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIH), research shows that mental health illnesses affect tens of millions of people each year in the U.S. Unfortunately, only half of people with mental health disorders receive treatment. Without treatment, disorders such as depression, trauma, eating disorders, substance use disorders, general anxiety disorder, and suicidal thoughts can reach a crisis point. Most people do not know how to identify signs of mental health disorders, leading them to continue suffering from the symptoms until they reach that crisis point. Others may avoid treatment due to the continued stigma surrounding mental health treatment, often feeling that getting help is a sign of weakness.
How Do I Know If I’m in a Crisis?
Mental health disorders can slowly worsen, making identifying when you need help difficult. A mental health crisis is any situation in which a person’s feelings, behaviors, or actions can lead to hurting themselves and/or others. It can also be when a person is at risk of being unable to take care of themselves or function in their community in a healthy manner. Although untreated mental health disorders can lead to a crisis, mental health crises can also occur in people without a diagnosed mental health condition. While every person will experience a crisis differently, some signs of a mental health crisis include the following:
- Unable to function with daily life, for example, an inability to get out of bed, go to work or perform daily tasks
- Inability to take care of your hygiene, such as brushing your teeth, bathing, or changing clothes
- Intense or sudden mood changes
- Intense worries or fears impacting daily activities
- Out-of-control or risk-taking behaviors
- Psychosis, which can include hallucinations or delusions
- Paranoia
- Harming oneself or self-medicating with substance abuse
- Withdrawing from others or isolation
- Feelings of agitation, anger, or violence
- Suicidal thoughts or actions
What Are the Steps of Crisis Stabilization?
At Alter Mental Health, we have designed a crisis stabilization plan to effectively help clients out of a mental health emergency. The following steps will be taken in a crisis stabilization unit in San Diego:
- Define the problem: Our clinical team will identify the problem or problems at the core of your crisis through a thorough initial evaluation. Along with your crisis team, you will work together to assess your case, distinguish strengths, and determine areas needing support.
- Ensure Safety: The next step in crisis stabilization is to ensure client safety, which includes staying in a local sober living house while in treatment. Clients will receive round-the-clock medical care and support in a comfortable, controlled environment for everyone’s peace of mind.
- Provide Support: Once the problem has been identified and safeguards are implemented, we will begin the treatment process, including evidence-based therapies, medication management, and holistic practices. Personalized treatment plans are essential in crisis stabilization as no two clients come to our center for the same reasons. We provide a range of treatment options to fit each client’s needs.
- Examine Alternative: Mental health crises are complex and sometimes our strategies may not be enough. Alter Mental Health San Diego can identify and provide resources for accessing alternative forms of care and support when needed.
- Make a Plan: As clients prepare to be discharged from our crisis stabilization unit in San Diego, our team will help them create a customized plan for continued treatment and recovery. Mental health treatment is an ongoing process that can take time to overcome, especially as you integrate back into daily life. Clients will leave our center with a solid plan and strategies to continue care as they transfer to their home life.
- Obtain Commitment: Crisis stabilization in San Diego is completed by obtaining your commitment. This final step secures clients for their return to daily life in the outside world.
What Treatments Help Stabilize a Person During a Mental Health Crisis?
Effective mental health crisis treatment provides personalized care with evidence-based therapies. However, not all therapies will be effective for every person, so crisis stabilization units in San Diego need to offer various options. Services at Alter Mental Health include multiple types of individual and group therapy sessions.
Clinical programs take a holistic approach to mental health treatment which can include psycho-educational groups, acceptance, and commitment therapy (ACT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT). Additionally, clients will have access to medications, treatment and discharge planning, family and community services, nutrition and recreation services, and referrals for ongoing services.
What Can I Do During a Mental Health Crisis?
If you are experiencing signs of a mental health crisis, the first step is to evaluate the situation and ensure safety. An immediate mental health crisis is if you have developed a plan for harming yourself and require urgent care. In this case, you should go to a hospital emergency room or call 911. You may also call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
For less severe or life-threatening crises, you can try some of the following techniques for short-term help:
- Deep, slow breathing.
- Moving to a quiet, calm area.
- Use soothing tools such as blankets, pillows, and calming music.
- Make sure to hydrate, eat, and get rest.
Long-term care requires comprehensive, expert care and you should consider seeking out professional care when experiencing a mental health crisis. Treatment centers like Alter Mental Health can provide a safe, calming environment with various therapies and services to overcome a crisis.
Call Alter Mental Health and Get Help from a Crisis Stabilization Unit in San Diego
Seeking help from a crisis stabilization unit in San Diego can provide you with evidence-based practices and a clinical team of professionals to regain normal day-to-day functioning and reduce self-harming risks. Our team will ensure you or your loved ones receive the care they need while also providing guidance for the continuum of treatment and aftercare. If you or a loved one is experiencing a mental health crisis, please call us today at 866-986-1481 or contact our team online to learn more about our treatment programs or to get started with the admissions process.
