Inpatient mental health treatment is a type of health care service that is provided to clients who have been admitted to a hospital. It combines hospital services with behavioral services to create a higher level of intensive care for clients who are struggling with mental health conditions.

To learn more about when inpatient mental health treatment may be necessary, keep reading below.

When may inpatient mental health treatment be necessary?

These are just a few different examples of scenarios that might make inpatient mental health treatment necessary. This is not an exhaustive list of situations that inpatient treatment can benefit, but rather a generalized list. Whether or not inpatient mental health care is right for your circumstances is between you and a trusted mental health care provider to agree upon.

• Your ability to function daily is suffering.
• You are experiencing psychosis.
• You have a substance use disorder (SUD).
• You have an eating disorder.
• You are self-harming.
• You may be a danger to yourself.
• You may be a danger to other people.
• You are going through a mental health crisis.

How long are typical inpatient mental health stays?

The length of a typical inpatient stay can vary. However, most stays are usually anywhere from three to seven days long. The exact number of days a person may need to stay can depend on a few different factors. These factors may include the severity of a person’s condition and how well treatment may work.

What are some of the benefits that inpatient mental health can offer?

• Offers constant access to treatment when necessary — One of the first major benefits of this type of program is that it provides convenient access to treatment when the need for treatment arises.
• Ensures your safety for the time being — Inpatient mental health stays are designed to evaluate your risk of harming yourself and to protect your safety for an intensive period of time. 
• Provides an environment of compassion and understanding — Another benefit of inpatient care is that it can provide clients in distress with a compassionate and understanding environment. It can help to be surrounded by people who care about your well-being and want to help your condition improve.
• Can help you get back on your feet — We know that certain mental health conditions can feel like you’re being knocked off your feet and stumbling to regain balance. One of the main roles of inpatient care is that it can provide you with the stability you need to get back on your feet and work toward building independence.

What comes after an inpatient mental health stay?

After a stay at an inpatient mental health facility, there will be a few different steps to take immediately afterward. The next step will depend on what you and your trusted mental health care provider decide. Here is a list of possibilities:

• You receive care from an intensive outpatient program.
• You receive care from a partial hospitalization program (PHP).
• You receive care at a residential facility.
• You join a support group.
• You schedule regular therapy sessions.
• You consider taking medication.

Lightfully wants to help you understand the benefits of inpatient mental health care

Our mission at Lightfully is to work with individuals to change their life compassionately. We strive to provide high-quality mental health care to various types of clients through a focused approach to process-based therapy. The framework of our clinic consists of evidence-based, clearly defined, data-driven and whole-person-centered care. Lightfully offers various layers of service to both adults and teens: residential treatment, Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (vIOP), Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), and Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), also referred to as our Day Treatment Program. We regularly see clients who actively manage mood disorders, anxiety disorders, personality disorders and trauma disorders. If after reading the section above, you feel like you might benefit from inpatient mental health treatment, we’d like to help you. The licensed specialists at each one of our locations are experienced in treating clients who meet the qualifications for inpatient mental health services. We can guide you through your mental health crisis and encourage you to take the steps you need toward recovery. 

Our licensed, clinical experts see each client as a complex and layered human — not just a diagnosis. We value our clients as they are and hope to enrich their lives through treatment. Our vision for the future is an authentic and loving community where everyone can be seen, heard, and valued as they are. We believe in the light within each individual, and when that light is properly nurtured it can allow a person to shine brighter than ever before.

Change is possible. When you’re ready to take the first step, reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team. We’ll take the next steps together, toward the fullest, brightest version of you.