Sometimes we may experience overwhelming, panic-filled situations when a loved one needs extensive support with their mental or behavioral health. It is hard to determine whether symptoms are severe because many of us will bottle up our emotions and lash out in episodes unexpectedly. When it comes to psychiatric conditions, your loved one may experience delusions or hallucinations that can bring intense distress.
In emergency cases, your loved one may need hospitalization in order to reduce their symptoms and be in a safe place. Where do you go when your loved one may not yet need hospitalization but they are in need of intensive mental health treatment? The answer is crisis stabilization.
Crisis stabilization is a short-term, direct service that helps assist with de-escalating the severity of an individual’s level of distress, reducing the need for urgent care. Crisis stabilization is typically recommended with mental health and substance abuse disorders. Services are designed to prevent a behavioral health crisis and reduce mental illness symptoms.
Crisis stabilization services provide intensive health care to non-hospitalized individuals that may be experiencing an acute mental health crisis. The goal of these services is to stabilize the acute needs as quickly and efficiently as possible. Alongside aiming to avert hospitalization, these services also provide quality safety and security to the individual and help them navigate external resources that can help if another crisis were to arise. They provide 24-hour observation and supervision for individuals that do not require inpatient services but might be at risk of harming themselves or others. Some of the services included at a crisis stabilization center may include patient assessments, diagnosis, development of a shortened treatment plan, case management, prescribing or monitoring psychotropic medication, and individual or group counseling.
Most services include telephone or telehealth, walk-in, and mobile crisis services. Most services are also likely to offer short-term community or stand-alone units, where a person is likely to stay somewhere between 1-10 days. As an alternative to long-term hospital stays, an individual might utilize crisis stabilization services to reduce the risk of hospitalization altogether, or they may utilize these services as a step-down from experiencing hospitalization.
Crisis services operate similar to a hospital emergency department as they accept walk-ins, ambulance, fire, and police drop-offs. Crisis services must accept all referrals regardless of mental health condition or severity of emotional disturbances experienced by an individual. Funding these kinds of programs is important so that they never have to reject an emergency health situation due to lack of resources or not having enough staff.
If you ever find yourself in a situation where you need to utilize crisis stabilization services for yourself or your loved one, it might make it easier to have an idea of what you will expect when you get there. Other services that may be provided at these centers include physical and psychiatric assessments, skills training for daily living, social activities, treatment planning and counseling, and connecting with other services.
Chronic symptoms of psychosis may be well-controlled for those with a diagnosis, although acute psychosis could lead to an individual harming themselves or others. Acute psychosis can present with a range of symptoms, including auditory hallucinations, delusions or paranoia, disorganization, or mania. When an individual experiences a new delusion, it could necessitate intervention, especially if the new delusion is negatively affecting the person experiencing it.
Here are some questions to consider if your loved one might be experiencing a psychotic episode or other mental health condition that may need intensive care:
There are many issues to be considered in regards to utilizing mental health crisis services, and it is crucial to understand what circumstances may lead you or your loved one to use crisis stabilization services.
Crisis stabilization services offer short-term, immediate assistance for individuals facing significant mental health or substance use distress, providing an alternative to hospitalization. These services are designed to prevent the need for acute hospital admission by managing crises effectively in a more immediate setting. They are particularly beneficial for individuals experiencing new or intensifying symptoms, including those related to psychosis.
If you or a loved one is in a situation where there’s potential harm to self or others, or if coping independently becomes challenging due to severe symptoms, crisis stabilization services can be a crucial resource. They provide timely support to address immediate mental health needs, helping to navigate through intense periods of distress.
Our directory includes a range of facilities across Southern California offering crisis stabilization services. These centers are equipped to handle severe mental health symptoms, offering immediate support and care. If you’re seeking help for yourself or a loved one during a mental health crisis, browse our listings to find a suitable facility. These services can be a vital step in managing mental health crises and moving towards recovery.
