Types of Mental Health Support

When you are struggling with your mental health, you must seek support. The type of support that you seek will depend on what you are struggling with, what you need, and what your preferences are. You may also need to consider your location, your time, and your budget. 

Fortunately, there are a plethora of different mental health treatments and types of support available, so you can find something that best suits you. 

Seeking support can benefit you immensely. When you seek support, you are taking a huge step to make a positive change in your life, which isn’t easy. However, this support can help you find a sense of relief from the anxiety, depression, addiction, or other mental health conditions that you are struggling with. You will also find that it can help you find the strength to change self-defeating habits and behaviors, quiet your inner critic, and have someone to talk to when the stress and pressure are building up inside you. In addition to this, you will be able to improve your self-esteem, self-acceptance, interpersonal skills, and communication. Most importantly, with the right support, you will be able to learn healthy coping mechanisms that you can utilize to help you with your struggles, as well as in everyday life. 

It can be challenging to know what kind of support you should seek, as there are several that you can choose from. To help you on your journey to better mental health, here are some of the different types of mental health support, and how they can serve you. 

#1 Medication

One popular form of mental health support is medication. These are prescribed by a doctor and can be used to treat or manage the symptoms that come with a mental illness. Medications are not used alone. They are used simultaneously with some form of therapy. There is a range of medications that might be used, for example, anti-anxiety medications, antidepressants, antipsychotics, or mood stabilizers. What you need will depend on your mental health condition and what your doctor recommends. 

#2 Outpatient support

Outpatient support is one of the most popular forms of support for mental health conditions. There are many to choose from depending on what support you are looking for, for example, if you have an addiction, you may find outpatient drug rehab more suitable for your needs. 

Outpatient support encompasses a range of different treatments, for example, individual therapy, support groups, group therapy, family therapy, and much more. These are best suited for people who can function independently and have a good support system. 

Individual therapy 

Individual therapy is also known as talk therapy, as it will revolve around you opening up. The therapist will strive to understand your mental health condition and what you are struggling with by listening intently and asking a series of questions that will help. Therapy aims to help you manage your emotions and struggles, and equip you with tools to help you face your challenges and negative thoughts. Some of the most common individual therapies that are used include Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). 

Support groups 

There are support groups set up all over the world, and online, for all kinds of struggles. Support groups are extremely valuable, as they provide you with the opportunity to share your experiences with others, listen to others’ experiences, gain support, and learn new perspectives. Support groups can offer lots of encouragement, support, and comfort. These are held by volunteers. 

Group therapy

Group therapy is a combination of individual therapy and support groups. They are typically held by a medical professional and offer a great way to seek support and work through problems. 

#3 Inpatient support 

Inpatient support is where an individual will stay at a residential facility on a short-term or long-term basis so they can have care 24/7. They will stay in appropriate accommodation and have a private room. Food is supplied and there will be a range of activities on offer. This kind of support is tailored for people who require medical supervision and would benefit from ongoing support to help them gain more independence in their life. Individuals who seek inpatient support tend to have severe, long-term symptoms from their mental health condition and did not find success in other treatments. 

Inpatient support is very similar to outpatient support, however, they will be in a full-time residency and tend to follow a more in-depth plan and schedule. This might include a combination of the following:

• Individual therapy 
• Medication 
• Support groups
• Group therapy
• Supervision
• Recreational and complementary therapies

Seeking mental health support is a great way to progress when you are struggling.

Samantha

Samantha hails from Virginia and is a proud wife to a retired Deputy Sheriff and mother to two amazing little boys named Jack & William. A veteran product reviewer; Samantha has been reviewing products for 8 years and offers high quality product reviews with original photography.