Mental health issues affect people worldwide,with over 9% of youths in the United States alone suffering from major depression and over 19% of adults experiencing some form of mental illness. Treatment options can vary from one form of mental illness to the next, and a lot of people are finding success by going on a mental health retreat.
Mental health therapy is not a one-size-fits-all approach.
But with the right treatment options, you can begin restoring your life. The most common forms of treatment are:
Counseling / Psychotherapy
Counseling is one of the most common forms of mental health treatment. Unlike medical treatments, counseling is all about you and your feelings and thoughts. There are several different types of counseling available, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.
Psychotherapy is the most popular form of treatment for mental health issues. It can be done individually or in groups and can be used to help treat and alleviate symptoms of a variety of mental disorders, such as anxiety, depression, and stress.
Support Groups
When individual counseling doesn’t help, support groups may be able to relieve your symptoms. Groups can be part of a mental health retreat, or they can be local. The groups help individuals realize that they’re not alone and provide:
- Friendship
- Support
- Resources
If your mental health issues are making you feel isolated and alone, support groups may be a good option for you.
Medication
Multiple forms of medication may be available to help you treat an array of symptoms associated with mental illness, including:
- Depression (over 17m adults experience it annually)
- Anxiety
- Stress
Even if you’re seeking other forms of treatment, such as psychotherapy, medication may be recommended to help manage your symptoms. Traditionally, medication coupled with psychotherapy offers the best hope of treatment.
Hospital or Residential Programs
Hospital or residential treatment options are a last resort, but they’re available when mental health issues continue to progress, and a person cannot be safely left alone. Hospitalization also allows for diagnosis, adequate treatment options to be found, and can help with medication adjustments.
In serious instances where you may be suffering from suicidal thoughts, hospitalization may be required when adjusting medications because medications can temporarily make mental illness worse.
Other Forms of Therapy
Additional forms of therapy are also available that may be used alone or in conjunction with the other main options listed above:
- Self-help plans that are designed to treat your specific condition.
- Complementary and alternative medicine options that go outside of normal care to help alleviate mental health issues.
- Case management, which is one of the most beneficial for people with severe mental health issues. A case manager is often involved with in-patient treatment and will allow a professional to help adjust and implement strategies that can aid in your recovery.
You may also want to pursue exercise, yoga or other forms of therapy, such as art therapy, which can help with your mental health.
Anyone suffering from mental illness should seek treatment as soon as possible. The sooner you start treatment, the sooner you’ll be able to return to a happier, mentally healthier you.