According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, approximately one in five adults in the U.S.—that’s 43.8 million people—experience mental illness in a given year. Of those, only 41% receive treatment. residential mental health facilities are one type of treatment option available to individuals living with mental illness. But what, exactly, is a residential mental health facility? And what kind of treatments are offered there? Keep reading to find out.

What Is a Residential Mental Health Facility? 

A residential mental health facility is a live-in treatment center for people living with mental illness. These facilities provide 24-hour care and oversight from medical professionals and highly trained staff. Residential mental health facilities offer a variety of different treatment options, which we will overview below. 

Individual Therapy 

One-on-one therapy sessions with a licensed therapist are often offered at residential mental health facilities. These sessions provide patients with an opportunity to talk openly and honestly about their thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a judgment-free environment. Therapists can help patients develop healthy coping mechanisms, work through traumas, and process difficult emotions. 

Group Therapy 

Group therapy sessions are another common offering at residential mental health facilities. In group therapy, patients meet with a therapist and other individuals living with mental illness to discuss shared experiences and challenges. Group therapy provides patients with a sense of community and can be beneficial in normalizing different thoughts and behaviors. Group therapy sessions can be helpful in teaching patients how to express themselves verbally and build healthy relationships with others. 

Medication Management 

Many people living with mental illness benefit from medication as part of their overall treatment plan. If an individual is prescribed medication by a psychiatrist or other medical professional, staff at the residential mental health facility will help them manage their medication regimen on an ongoing basis. This may include distributing medication at regular intervals, monitoring side effects, and helping patients understand when it is time to refill their prescriptions. 

Most Common Mental Health Disorders

In the United States, mental illness is a serious problem affecting millions of people. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 18.1% of adults in the U.S. suffer from some form of mental illness. Mental illness can take many forms, and there are a variety of mental health disorders that can be diagnosed by a mental health professional. In this blog post, we will take a look at some of the most common mental health disorders in the United States.

Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety disorders are one of the most common types of mental health disorders in the United States, affecting 40 million adults aged 18 and older. There are many different types of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and phobias. Anxiety disorders can cause feelings of fear, worry, and unease that can interfere with daily activities.

Depressive Disorders

Depressive disorders are another common type of mental health disorder, affecting more than 16 million adults in the United States. Depressive disorders can range from mild to severe and can include major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and seasonal affective disorder. Symptoms of depressive disorders can include feelings of sadness and worthlessness, loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyed, changes in appetite or sleep patterns, and difficulty concentrating.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a type of anxiety disorder that affects 2.2 million adults in the United States. People with OCD experience obsessions (recurrent and unwanted thoughts) and compulsions (repetitive behaviors or mental acts) that they feel they must do in order to relieve their anxiety. OCD can interfere with daily activities and cause significant distress.

If you or someone you love is living with mental illness, know that there are many different treatment options available—including residential mental health facilities. These facilities provide around-the-clock care and offer treatments like individual and group therapy, as well as medication management services. If you think a residential mental health facility might be right for you or your loved one, reach out to a qualified professional to learn more about your options.