Mental Health Facilities in the US
Whether you’re looking for a new place to get treatment or are concerned about someone you know, there are plenty of options in the US. But how many of these facilities actually serve patients?
Mental health facilities include psychiatric hospitals, inpatient mental hospitals and residential treatment centers. Some of these facilities offer day programs too.
Psychiatric Hospitals
Psychiatric hospitals are specialized medical centers that provide care for patients with mental illnesses. They are staffed by psychiatrists and other medical professionals.
These psychiatric hospitals offer long-term residential treatment for mental health conditions. They can be used to treat substance abuse and behavioral disorders.
Inpatient hospital facilities are staffed with doctors, nurses, and other health professionals. They are designed to provide the highest level of care for people who require intensive treatment.
The best psychiatric hospitals in the US include Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore and McLean Hospital in Belmont. They treat a wide range of mental illnesses including anxiety, depression, trauma, personality disorder, bipolar disorders, and women’s mental health. They also have a strong focus on research and teaching.
Inpatient Hospitals
The United States has a long tradition of providing care for people suffering from mental illness. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, about 1 in 4 adults have a diagnosable mental condition each year.
In addition to hospitals, there are many other facilities that offer mental health services. These facilities can be found throughout the United States.
In the United States, there are 12,275 registered mental health treatment facilities. These include 1,806 24-hour inpatient facilities and 9,634 facilities that provide less than 24-hour outpatient care.
Residential Treatment Centers
Residential mental health facilities provide live-in treatment for individuals who require care beyond what is provided in a traditional outpatient setting. These centers are characterized by structured care and a holistic approach to treatment.
Generally, residential treatment programs are licensed by state departments of health or mental health and some are licensed by state substance use agencies. In 2017, there were approximately 856 organizations providing residential mental health services in the United States.
While residential mental health facilities offer a wide range of care, they are not always the best option for all clients. It is important to conduct research into your personal criteria and the types of services offered by different facilities before selecting a facility.
Community-Based Halfway Houses
Halfway houses are community-based housing programs for people who have just completed a sentence at a residential treatment center or are in the process of reintegrating into the community. They help people transition from a structured environment to a less structured living situation while providing a drug and alcohol-free environment and group support.
Although halfway houses are useful for many, they can sometimes earn a bad reputation in some communities. This may be due to a fear of disruptive behavior, lowered property values, excess noise, or additional traffic.
Halfway houses are government-funded transitional housing programs that offer a safe place for people in early recovery. They provide an alcohol and drug-free environment while helping them build structure and routine in their lives. They also give residents access to group counseling and other addiction treatment services.
Veteran’s Affairs
The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VHA) operates a wide array of mental health facilities for the benefit of eligible veterans and their families. These include community-based outpatient clinics, readjustment counseling centers and Vet Centers.
The number and types of mental health services offered at a particular site are determined by such factors as the size of the community, the veteran population served and the specific needs of the veteran population. Specialized programs, such as a Psychosocial Residential Rehabilitation and Treatment Program (PRRTP) or a Domiciliary Residential Rehabilitation and Treatment Program (DRRTP), are available for veterans with severe and complex conditions and for those who need specialized care in a more structured setting than is available in a general program.
VA offers a number of evidence-based treatments for Veterans with mental illness, including medication and cognitive behavioral therapy. These treatments are time-limited and focus on helping Veterans recover and meet their goals.
