Updated: September 19, 2024

Can I Go to Urgent Care for Mental Health?

Struggling for mental health can be a daunting task for an individual suffering from any kind of mental health issues. Typically, the disorder has its ups and downs, and in crises, the help of a professional is a must. Sometimes, outpatient treatment doesn’t work as efficiently as it is supposed. In the acute manifestation of depression, anxiety, BPD, or PTSD staying alone can be dangerous. At this moment, the best idea is to apply for urgent care for mental health in a specific institution.

What are these institutions, which type of treatment they provide, and why applying for their help can be life-saving for patients with mental impairments? These questions are relevant for many people, as today, specialists claim the burden on the mental state of the population to be too heavy. The pressure since the advent of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic increased, and thus, the number of patients with diagnosed mental illnesses increased. As statistics say, over 19.86% of all adult Americans experience some kind of mental health issues. Over 4.91% experience severe mental disorders which may require urgent therapy involved [1].

Thus, these 4.91% are potential seekers for urgent care for mental health. In this article, you can get overall information about what is urgent or crisis mental health care, when it is necessary and which symptoms alert of the need for urgent psychiatric care.

Can I Go to Urgent Care for Mental Health Treatment?

Typically, when we feel bad we appoint a visit to the therapist or a family doctor. In case the symptoms of illness are too heavy, we call emergency and get urgent care. In terms of most health issues, it seems logical. What about the mental health issue? Do you know that you can go to urgent care for adult mental health? Moreover, today, there are multiple options for the mitigation of acute mental illness symptoms.

So, the fact #1: you can go to an urgent mental health care center any time you have concerns about your current mental state.

Of course, if the symptoms of the disorder you experience are not too intense, the results of your visit may assume therapy adjustments if you already take it or in the prescription of therapy for your current mental state condition. In other cases, urgent mental health care may help you cope with the manifestation of your disorder and reduce severe symptoms which can be hazardous for your life or your loved ones.

What Happens When You Go to Urgent Care for Mental Health?

The term urgent care is not similar to emergency care. The last case refers to immediate hospitalization in most cases. Yet, an urgent mental health care procedure is quite different from calling 911.

What Differs Mental Health Urgent Care from Regular Urgent Care?

The facilities for mental health urgent care are dedicated only to mental health issues solutions while regular emergency rooms accept patients with various physical conditions.
If you have a mental health issue, in a mental health urgent care facility, you get immediate help while in a regular urgent care room, you may be addressed to a therapist or clinic for accurate evaluation and assessment.
Urgent mental health care rooms provide all types of support including medications used for stabilization and intervention while regular urgent care facilities typically provide counseling services only.

What happens when you apply for it in any type of rehabilitation center or walk-in clinic?

When you have any concerns about your mental state, you come to the urgent mental health facility without any previous appointment.
First, you have to get a preliminary check-in at the front desk. You have to explain your concerns and indicate the symptoms you experience in detail so as to help the staff direct you to the specialist you need.
Then you pass evaluation by a specialist which typically includes accurate assessment of your current condition, review of your medical history, inspection of the medication and therapy you take, and definition of specific factors which may enhance the crisis you experience.
Urgent stabilization comes next. The specialist decides on the type of therapy to stop the manifestation of hazardous symptoms disturbing you. In some cases, this can be medication therapy, sometimes, therapeutic interventions, or psychotherapy methods.
After the first aid comes, the specialist may develop a treatment plan for further follow-up care.

In any case, you can get timely, competent and effective help and support to cope with manifesting symptoms and prevent their escalation.

Different Urgent Care Mental Health Options

Typically, mental health support includes three main types of help [2].

Urgent mental health care is a must in hazardous conditions when there are risks for a person to harm themselves or other people. In this case, a visit to an emergency room or a walk-in mental health crisis center can help save the life and well-being of a person.
Potentially urgent mental health care is a type of service which can be used in cases when risks are high but not life-threatening. For example, if you feel that you cannot cope with the severity of a mental health issue’s symptoms.
Non-urgent care can be assessed at any time you have concerns about your mental state. This type of support includes preventive measures and preliminary diagnostics which further may help a person to avoid acute manifestations of possible mental issues.

Besides, there are different types of clinics to apply to.

Psychiatric emergency rooms where patients with acute symptoms and life-threatening behavior patterns are delivered.
Walk-in urgent care clinics or centers. In case of crisis or urgent manifestation of hazardous symptoms, a patient can get a preliminary assessment, initial treatment and prescriptions for specialized care if needed in such centers.
Telehealth services for urgent mental health care. With the increase in popularity of telehealthcare options, telehealth urgent care for mental issues also grows. Today, it’s the most convenient option for people living in rural areas far from walk-in centers or specific psychiatric emergency rooms. Telehealth support can be provided remotely via chats, phone, or instant messengers by qualified psychotherapists and counselors.

That’s why if you doubt the question, can you go to urgent care for mental health, just recall these options to consider which caters to your needs right now in the best way.

Mental Health Symptoms That Can Be Treated With Urgent Care

What can signal you about the necessity of immediate application for urgent care? In terms of mental health, there are numerous states and symptoms you should consider. Please, check them and stay aware of them to detect timely in you or your loved ones.

Suicidal attempts and suicidal behavior are the first and the most disastrous sign you need urgent mental health care.
Issues of self-harm and homicide also are indicative.
Anxiety issues and panic attacks should also be considered.
Heavy depression symptoms are claimed by the CDC to be medical emergencies.
The manifestation of delusions, hallucinations, intrusive thoughts, and mania symptoms is critical to be treated in urgent healthcare facilities.
Issues of drug or substance abuse which lead to previous points are also a matter of competence of urgent mental health care before the patient comes to the rehabilitation center.

Besides, there is a list of physical conditions and states which require assessment and support by specialized mental health facility staff. For instance, these symptoms include:

Difficulties with breathing
Prolonged sleep disorders and insomnia
Heart attacks, rapid heart rate, or heart palpitations
Extra sweating and hot-to-cold swifts
Derealization and depersonalization symptoms.

Thus, even if you experience something of that kind in a mild or moderate mode, it is better to get help from specialized facilities.

Where Can I Find Urgent Care for Mental Health Concerns?

Taking care of your mental health can be difficult. Yet, today, it’s a must. Typically, you can start with lifestyle tips and methods to protect yourself from manifestations of mental illness.

Which Tips Can Help You Prevent Mental Health Issues Manifestations

Our bodies and cognitive functions are tightly bound. Thus, to prevent yourself from harmful and deteriorating symptoms which further require psychiatric support, you can start with quite ubiquitous things which are supportive and healthy.

Do moderate physical exercises with your best friends.
Eat healthy and do not allow either overeating or starving.
Avoid alcohol and drugs. Despite you may feel recovered when taking them, both alcohol and drugs are suppressants and they greatly impact your mental state triggering various disorders and depression manifestations.
High-quality sleep is a must to maintain your psyche healthy and stable.
Practicing mindfulness and gratitude. Your inner balance starts with your calmness and mindfulness. These practices may include yoga, meditation, mantras, self-control skills, etc.
Remaining in touch with friends and family. Feeling lonely and separating from close friends is your enemy. When you feel support and care from other people you reduce stress levels and anxiety.
Avoiding stressful situations and managing stress is a must. If you feel you are unstable in your mental health, each stressful factor may bring you to acute manifestation.

Thus, the very start of your path to your stable and healthy self is not in the urgent mental health care room but in your in-house practices and routines. Yet, if it happens that you feel you are not managing the situation and the symptoms of your mental issue grow constantly, the best thing is to apply for qualified help from a specialist. At URP Behavioral Health center, you can feel care and support from the best pros in the field of psychiatry and psychotherapy. Simply put, if you need urgent mental health care, you get it timely and carefully from the doctors and nursery to return you to the stable and peaceful state of mind.

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