Completing a mental health treatment program is a big accomplishment. During treatment, you’ll have worked hard to build new coping skills, understand yourself better and improve your mental wellness. However, you might be worried about what happens next. This is where mental health alumni programs come in.
In 2021, over 20% of U.S. adults received mental health treatment, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). For many of these people, transitioning back into everyday life after a course of treatment can feel overwhelming. Following treatment, alumni programs can be essential to staying on track. These programs provide ongoing support, community and resources to help people maintain progress after treatment.
If you or a loved one has completed a mental health program, engaging in an alumni program can be a great next step. By learning more about these programs, you can get a better idea of how they work and what they offer to clients.
What is a mental health alumni program?
An alumni program is a support system for people who have completed a mental health treatment program. You can think of an alumni program as a bridge between intensive care and everyday life. Alumni programs are designed to help people stay connected, practice what they’ve learned and find encouragement when they need it.
Treatment providers offer alumni programs because they know recovery doesn’t stop when treatment ends. In fact, staying engaged in mental health care after treatment can be just as important as the treatment itself. Alumni programs help make sure people don’t feel alone in their journey.
Different programs may incorporate different strategies. However, the main goal tends to be the same: providing ongoing support for long-term mental wellness.
Benefits of mental health alumni programs
- Ongoing support — Mental health progress is typically not a straight line. During your recovery, there will probably be good days and tough days. Having a support system in place can make all the difference. Many alumni programs offer peer support groups and check-ins with mental health professionals, so you never have to feel like you’re facing challenges alone.
- Community — Mental health challenges can sometimes feel isolating. One of the best parts of an alumni program is staying connected with others who understand what you’ve been through. Being part of a supportive group can help you feel encouraged and motivated.
- Helpful resources — Understanding your mental health can be an important part of recovery. If you want to learn more about mental health, alumni programs can provide some great resources. An alumni program might offer educational resources like workshops, videos and articles on a wide range of topics. Whether you want to learn more about coping with stressful political events or how to get out of bed when you’d rather do anything but, you can find resources with the answers you need.
The Lightfully+ Alumni Program
At Lightfully, we understand that maintaining mental health can be an ongoing process. That’s why we created Lightfully+, a mental health alumni program designed to provide continued support and connection. Lightfully+ offers an array of resources for your first year post-treatment, including:
- Monthly check-ins — For the first year after discharge, Lightfully+ provides regular check-ins and risk monitoring. This helps ensure that you’re staying on track and allows us to offer support if any concerns arise. If you notice any symptoms coming back, these check-ins can be key to early intervention.
- Support groups — While life can get busy, continuing to prioritize your mental health is important. Our online support groups allow you to stay connected with a community of people who understand your journey, no matter where you are. We offer free online support groups to all adults, regardless of treatment history. We also provide alumni-specific support groups and workshops.
- Recovery resources — If you’re looking for resources you can use at your own pace, you can find a range of helpful materials on our website. These include informative blogs and our video archive. You can also get recovery resources delivered directly to your email inbox.
If you’ve completed a full course of treatment, you’ve already taken big steps toward improving your mental health. An alumni program can help ensure that you keep moving forward. By staying connected, you can build a strong foundation for lasting mental wellness.
Get long-term support with Lightfully’s Lightfully+ Alumni Program
At Lightfully, we are committed to providing the support you need through each step of your treatment journey. The framework of everything we do is based on evidence, compassion and whole-person-centered care. We take a unique approach to treatment called Precision Care Model (PCM). PCM is a compassionate and fully personalized treatment plan designed just for you. With PCM, we can provide tailored support during your treatment program and beyond.
Change is possible, and it’s often a continual process. If you want to learn more about Lightfully treatment options and alumni resources, contact us. We can help you connect with workshops, support groups and more.
