Reaching Out to Mental Health Professionals
Health professionals who specialize in helping individuals and their families with mental health problems include psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, counselors, and psychiatric nurses. Psychotherapy, sometimes known as talk therapy, is often an important part of mental health treatment by qualified professionals. In some situations, physicians may recommend the use of medication for an individual with mental health problems. Health professionals often work together, for example, as members of a treatment team. Family members may also be asked to support an individual in his or her treatment.
Community resources can help provide services and support
- Schools play an important role in connecting students with mental health professionals. For example, school psychologists, counselors, and school nurses help students get services they need either at school or somewhere else in the community. University and college students may have access to health services through college counseling centers.
- Families that are limited in their ability to pay often have access to community-based services such as community mental health centers. State departments of mental health and local community health centers can help direct families to community resources. Phone listings for state and local mental health departments often appear in the government section of telephone directory white pages.
- There are free self-help and support groups in many communities for dealing with specific mental health problems such as coping with alcohol and drug abuse. Through sharing information and ideas with others, participants realize they are not alone with their problems.
- Most major cities have at least one mental health crisis center which may be located through telephone directory assistance. The centers typically are staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and can refer a caller to local sources of health care and support.
Note: Tomorrow’s post will discuss “How to Take Action” and changes feelings and behaviors.
Source: The American Psychological Association, retrieved May 15, 2009
Tags: mental health, Mental Health Tips