What Is Mental Health?
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) notes that mental health has several components. These include emotional, social, and psychological well-being. Mental health triage can help those struggling with mental health symptoms.1
Each of these factors affects our reactions to day-to-day stressors. For example, difficulties with mental health may impact:2
- How we feel emotionally and physically
- How we think
- Our interactions with others
- One’s ability to manage stressors
- Our relationships with others
- The ability to make safe, healthy choices
Defining Mental Wellness
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines mental health as “a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community.”3
Mental health is an imperative aspect of our overall well-being. It affects our ability to make decisions and build relationships with friends, family, and colleagues.
When someone experiences mental wellness challenges, it can impact all parts of their life. Learning more about mental health triage services can help you or a loved one take the first steps toward improving and maintaining mental wellness.
What Is Mental Health Triage?
The fundamental purpose of mental health triage is to assess your symptoms before receiving treatment. A clear understanding of your symptoms can help you begin your recovery journey.
Mental health triage helps your counselor understand the level and type of care necessary to achieve your treatment and healing goals. Also, if you need emergency care, mental health triage can help you get the care you need quickly.
Mental health triage occurs before utilizing other counseling tools. It also helps assess the urgency of treatment needs from the very beginning of the therapeutic process.
How Can Mental Health Triage Help With Mental Health?
Not everyone enters a counseling program with the same needs and goals. Therefore, utilizing mental health triage before you seek treatment can help pave the way for holistic, comprehensive counseling programs that address the whole person.
If you or a loved one are ready to take the first steps toward healing, mental health triage is the first step. Mental health challenges affect everyone differently, so developing treatment plans that address your unique needs is crucial.
What Are Some Treatments Used to Help With Mental Health?
As noted above, each person’s journey to mental wellness looks different. However, there are several treatment and counseling options used in treatment programs that help address mental health concerns.
Some of the most widely applied treatments for individuals after mental health triage include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
- Motivational enhancement therapy (MET)
- Alternative therapies include art therapy, drama therapy, equine therapy, outdoor adventure therapy, and others.
- Trauma-focused therapy
- Dual diagnosis treatment services
How Can Someone Improve Their Mental Wellness At Home?
Many challenges related to mental health are invisible, and it is common for someone to live with complex symptoms for many years before seeking help. Besides counseling services provided after comprehensive mental health triage, there are steps you can take to improve your mental wellness at home.
Self-care is essential to maintaining your physical and mental health. Self-care tools for mental health generally involve activities designed to reduce stress, increase energy, and reduce the risk of developing an illness. Below are a few examples of at-home mental wellness tools.
Focus on a Healthy and Balanced Diet
Ensuring your diet includes plenty of healthy foods and plenty of water, vitamins, and other vital nutrients can help to improve your energy levels and focus. It is also helpful to limit caffeinated beverages.
Make Time for Sleep
Most people need more sleep. Some studies suggest more than a third of the population regularly experiences sleep deprivation for various reasons.4
Making sleep a priority can help reduce your stress levels and provide ample energy to tackle your day’s activities.
Try Relaxation Activities
Meditation is a relaxation tool anyone can use. One benefit of meditation is that you can engage in meditation at any time of the day. If you have never tried meditation practice, many guided meditation sessions are available online to get you started.
Incorporate Exercise Into Your Routine
Adopting a regular exercise routine can help dramatically reduce stress, which is a critical factor in mental wellness challenges. Exercise does not need to be rigorous to be effective. Gentle activities, including walking and yoga, are also beneficial stress-reduction tools.
Reach Out for Help
Some mental wellness programs offer over-the-phone screening and mental health triage services. If you or a loved one experience challenging symptoms and at-home tools do not provide relief, it is essential to reach out for help.
Mental health triage can offer guidance and assistance for getting started in a comprehensive counseling program.
What Happens If Mental Health Conditions Are Untreated?
Untreated mental health conditions may also lead to worsening medical illness, substance use disorders, and an increased risk of self-harm. Suppose symptoms of a mental health condition affect your ability to participate in daily activities or negatively affect other aspects of your overall health and wellness.
How Can Horizon Treatment Services Help With Mental Health Disorders?
Contacting Horizon Treatment Services can help you or a loved one learn more about the many treatment options offered at our mental wellness programs.
How Can We Help?
There are various ways that Horizon Treatment Services can help you get the care you need. Cherry Hill offers an over-the-phone screening process for both detox and sobering services. This type of mental health triage can help our staff figure out the kind of care and treatment you need.
We highly value making sure that those struggling with mental health or substance use disorders get the education, support, and treatment they need for a healthy and holistic recovery.
Get in Touch With Us Today
Living with mental health symptoms can affect your emotional, physical, and social health. The path to recovery and achieving lasting wellness begins with Horizon Treatment Services. Contact a member of our team today to learn more about how we can help.
Resources
1https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health
3https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-strengthening-our-response
4https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2016/p0215-enough-sleep.html
