Alter Mental Health Is Ready to Help in California
A mental crisis can happen to anyone, especially during times of stress. For some, there may be a slow buildup of deteriorating mental health signs and symptoms that go untreated. They can also happen without warning and be quite frightening. It is important to know that you are not alone and there is help out there to stabilize mental health.
Alter Mental Health’s crisis stabilization unit (CSU) is available to California residents experiencing a mental health crisis or emergency. We utilize an in-depth assessment which includes family history, a diagnostic test, and a complete biopsychosocial assessment to evaluate the crisis and offer the most effective mental health treatment methods to stabilize the person. Patients are able to heal in a safe, comfortable environment during a short-term stay aimed at helping them regain control of their mental health through evidence-based therapies and medication management.
Alter is an excellent alternative to the sterile environment of inpatient hospitalization when dealing with a crisis. Our small, 16-bed treatment facility provides individualized care and 24/7 support from clinicians and medical personnel. Part of our comprehensive programs is setting clients up with an aftercare program, including referral for ongoing mental health services, to continue their journey toward long-term recovery.
How Is a Mental Health Crisis Defined?
A mental health crisis occurs when a person’s mental health renders them unable to cope with or adjust to the everyday stress of life. The person may be experiencing an event that produces emotional, physical, mental, and behavioral distress, making it difficult to function in daily life. Mental health crises can be severe enough to be considered a medical emergency which entails a person being at risk for harming themselves or others.
How Common Are Mental Health Crises?
More than one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, making them the most common health condition in the United States. Unfortunately, less than half of American adults living with mental illness receive treatment. Mental health disorders can worsen over time and reach a crisis level without treatment. Millions of Americans affected by mental illness work, perform, create, and live daily like anyone else. Stressors and events can impact anyone’s mental health, whether they are diagnosed with a disorder or not, severely enough to end up in crisis.
Mental health crises can be situational, such as a nervous breakdown from divorce, loss of a loved one, financial difficulties, or job loss which worsens into a crisis. Individuals with mental health disorders such as schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder may be more prone to experiencing a crisis during times of stress. Even people who are receiving treatment for a mental health disorder may experience a crisis.
How Does Alter Mental Health Help People During a Crisis?
Alter Mental Health in San Diego offers an effective crisis response system to stabilize mental health. Clinicians use a whole-person approach to assess the situation and create personalized treatment plans. We understand that mental health crises can be complex and may be caused by several contributing factors, so we use various evidence-based therapies, medication management, and holistic methods to stabilize a person.
After completing an in-depth set of assessment methods, we can better understand the current challenges you are facing and begin the following 6-step crisis stabilization plan:
- Define the problem: Our clinical team will identify the root of the crisis to create a personalized treatment plan and the necessary steps to stabilize mental health.
- Ensure safety: Clients will be kept safe at our inpatient facility with round-the-clock supervision and treatment until they are fully stabilized.
- Provide support: We will provide clients with various therapies and services to stabilize their mental health and begin treating the root cause of the crisis.
- Examine alternatives: Every person’s experience with mental health is unique and may require specialized treatment approaches to heal. Alter Mental Health San Diego will provide clients with resources for alternative treatment methods we may not offer but feel could greatly benefit from.
- Make a plan: Before exiting treatment at Alter Mental Health, our clinicians will provide aftercare planning and referral for ongoing services so clients can continue working toward long-term recovery as they transition back to home life.
- Obtain commitment: Crisis stabilization is completed by obtaining your commitment to treatment.
8 Types of Disorders Treated at Alter Mental Health
At Alter Mental Health San Diego, we believe that anyone can experience a fulfilling, happy life with the right treatment and compassionate care. Our clinical team is equipped with the knowledge, experience, and tools needed to treat any mental health disorder, including:
- Bipolar disorder: People living with bipolar disorder may experience periods of extreme highs and lows. Even with ongoing treatment, mental health crises can occur.
- Generalized anxiety disorders: GAD usually involves a persistent feeling of anxiety or dread which interferes with daily life. Everyday stressors can easily become a mental health crisis in those with GAD.
- Major depression: While it is normal to feel blue occasionally, those with major depression experience continued depressed moods or loss of interest in activities. Depression can also be associated with thoughts of suicide.
- Schizophrenia: Schizophrenia can severely impair daily functioning to the point of being a disability. It requires lifelong treatment with medication management. Individuals who experience relapses can get immediate help through crisis stabilization at our center.
- Schizoaffective disorder: Schizoaffective disorder is marked by a combination of schizophrenia and mood disorder symptoms. People can experience hallucinations, delusions, depression, and mania. Proper treatment can help manage symptoms and significantly improve quality of life.
- Trauma and PTSD: Individuals who have experienced or witnessed a terrifying event can develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), lasting for months or years. PTSD can lead to heightened reactions, anxiety, and depression. Trauma-focused treatment can help manage symptoms and help people move past these events.
- Personality disorder: A personality disorder involves rigid and unhealthy thinking, behavior, and functioning patterns. Individuals with personality disorders may have trouble perceiving and relating to people and situations in a healthy manner. The disorder can become severe enough to need crisis stabilization if the person can no longer care for themselves or is in immediate danger of harming themselves or others.
- Panic disorder: Anyone can experience a panic attack; however, panic disorders involve frequent and unexpected panic attacks. This debilitating disorder can be managed with medications and psychotherapy. Alter Mental Health can stabilize mental health conditions such as these and get the person on the right track toward long-term management of symptoms.
Call Alter Mental Health Today and Stabilize Mental Health With Our Help
A mental health crisis can happen to anyone at any time. You should know you are not alone and there are caring, knowledgeable treatment centers in California that can help you regain control of your mental health. Alter Mental Health San Diego provides a safe space and structured treatment plans to stabilize mental health during a crisis. Short-term crisis stabilization at Alter Mental Health can be the solution when you feel you can no longer take on the weight of life on your own. Please call us today at 866-986-1481 and let us help you get back to a happier, healthier life.
