Mental health care involves a range of services, including diagnosis, treatment, and support for mental illnesses and conditions like depression and anxiety.
It is provided by a team of professionals and may include psychotherapy (talk therapy), medication, group therapy, and support from family and community resources.
The goal of mental health care is to help individuals manage symptoms, improve their functioning, and enhance their overall well-being.
Components of mental health care
Diagnosis and treatment plans: A formal mental health assessment is conducted, and a treatment plan is developed collaboratively with the patient.
Psychotherapy: Also known as talk therapy, this involves one-on-one, group, or family sessions to explore thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Medication: Prescribed by a clinician, medication can help manage symptoms for certain conditions, often in combination with therapy.
Support and self-help: This includes support groups, health classes, and lifestyle changes such as exercise, good sleep, and nutrition.
Care settings: Services can be provided in various settings, including a doctor’s office, community mental health centers, hospital outpatient departments, or through online resources.
Why mental health care is important
- It helps individuals understand and cope with mental health conditions.
- It supports individuals in overcoming or managing symptoms that can be debilitating.
- Good mental health is crucial for overall wellness and quality of life, just like physical health.
- It helps people navigate life transitions and challenges, build resilience, and develop healthy habits.
Adolescent and Children Mental Health Clinic/Center
Clinic/Center Healthcare Taxonomy Code 261QM0855X
Adolescent and Children’s Mental Health Clinics/Centers provide specialized mental health care for youth, offering various services including assessment, diagnosis, and treatment for conditions like anxiety, depression, and ADHD.
They offer various levels of care, including outpatient therapy, family counseling, intensive day programs (Partial Hospitalization Programs), and inpatient hospital care for more severe issues.
These centers employ a team-based approach, utilizing psychiatrists, psychologists, and therapists to develop personalized, evidence-based treatment plans that also involve families in the process.
Adult Mental Health Clinic/Center
Clinic/Center Healthcare Taxonomy Code 261QM0850X
Adult mental health clinics/centers provide assessment, therapy, and medication management for various mental health conditions, offering support through individual, group, and family therapy, as well as crisis intervention.
Services range from helping with daily stressors like anxiety and grief to treating severe mental illness (SMI), often integrating primary and behavioral care in a coordinated approach.
Adult Psychiatric/Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialists
Clinical Nurse Specialist Healthcare Taxonomy Code 364SP0809X
Adult Psychiatric/Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialists (PMH-CNSs) are advanced practice registered nurses who have specialized graduate-level education in mental health.
Their role includes assessing, diagnosing, and treating mental health disorders through direct patient care, psychotherapy, and potentially medication management.
PMH-CNSs also focus on educating other nurses, improving patient care outcomes, and contributing to nursing research and quality improvement initiatives within healthcare systems.
Adult Psychiatric/Mental Health Registered Nurses
Registered Nurse Healthcare Taxonomy Code 163WP0809X
Adult Psychiatric/Mental Health Registered Nurses provide direct patient care for individuals and groups experiencing mental health, emotional, and behavioral issues.
They assess conditions, administer medications, develop treatment plans, provide therapy and education, and collaborate with other healthcare professionals to support recovery.
They work in various settings, including hospitals, clinics, and community centers, helping patients manage conditions like depression and anxiety and promoting overall mental wellness.
Child & Adolescent Psychiatric/Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialists
Clinical Nurse Specialist Healthcare Taxonomy Code 364SP0807X
Child and Adolescent Psychiatric/Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialists (PMH-CNSs) are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who hold graduate degrees and specialize in providing psychiatric and mental health care to children and adolescents.
Their roles involve assessing and diagnosing mental health conditions, developing treatment plans that may include medication and psychotherapy, educating families, and collaborating with other healthcare professionals.
They work in various settings, serving as providers, educators, and researchers to ensure access to care for young people.
Child & Adolescent Psychiatric/Mental Health Registered Nurses
Registered Nurse Healthcare Taxonomy Code 163WP0807X
Child & Adolescent Psychiatric/Mental Health Registered Nurses provide direct mental health care to young people, focusing on building therapeutic relationships, administering medications, providing individual and group therapy, and coordinating care with families and schools.
They assess symptoms, help manage disorders like anxiety, depression, and trauma, and work in various settings, including hospitals, partial hospitalization programs, schools, and homes, to support the child’s overall well-being and recovery.
The primary goal is to empower young patients to identify and manage their mental health challenges, ultimately promoting their overall well-being, encouraging independent living, and supporting their recovery.
Child & Family Psychiatric/Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialists
Clinical Nurse Specialist Healthcare Taxonomy Code 364SP0810X
Child & Family Psychiatric/Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs) are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who provide direct and indirect patient care for individuals, families, and groups with mental health disorders.
They conduct comprehensive assessments, develop individualized treatment plans, provide psychotherapy, and offer medication management services.
To become one, you need a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree with a specialization in psychiatric-mental health, and then pass a national certification exam.
Chronically Ill Psychiatric/Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialists
Clinical Nurse Specialist Healthcare Taxonomy Code 364SP0811X
A Psychiatric/Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist (PMH-CNS) is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) specializing in the complex and chronic mental health needs of patients.
These experts assess, diagnose, and treat mental health and substance use disorders through medication management, psychotherapy, and patient/family education.
PMH-CNSs serve as direct care providers, educators, consultants, and researchers, utilizing their expertise to enhance patient care outcomes, manage symptoms, and mitigate barriers to mental healthcare.
Community Psychiatric/Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialists
Clinical Nurse Specialist Healthcare Taxonomy Code 364SP0812X
Community Psychiatric/Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialists (PMH-CNSs) are advanced practice registered nurses who provide comprehensive psychiatric and mental health care in various community settings, including hospitals, clinics, and private practices.
They assess, diagnose, and treat mental illness through therapies, medication management, and care coordination.
To become a PMH-CNS, one must first become a registered nurse (RN), complete a master’s or doctoral degree in psychiatric-mental health nursing, and pass a certification exam from the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
Geropsychiatric Psychiatric/Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialists
Clinical Nurse Specialist Healthcare Taxonomy Code 364SP0813X
Geropsychiatric Psychiatric/Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialists (PMH-CNSs) are advanced practice registered nurses with specialized graduate-level education and certification in the mental health needs of older adults.
They assess, diagnose, and treat psychiatric and cognitive disorders in seniors, integrating various factors and providing interventions like medication management and psychotherapy.
Their practice emphasizes promoting mental health by addressing age-related changes, common conditions like dementia and depression, and the unique stressors faced by older adults and their families.
Mental Health Clinic/Centers – Including Community Mental Health Center
Clinic/Center Healthcare Taxonomy Code 261QM0801X
Mental health clinics/centers, including Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs), offer mental health services such as therapy, counseling, and psychiatric care through outpatient, inpatient, and emergency services to help individuals manage mental health conditions and enhance their overall well-being.
They offer a range of services, including individual and group therapy, specialized care for different age groups, substance use treatment, and support for daily life, often working with a person-centered approach to create personalized care plans.
Mental Health Counselors
Counselor Healthcare Taxonomy Code 101YM0800X
Mental health counselors provide therapy and support to individuals, families, and groups struggling with mental, emotional, and behavioral issues, such as depression, anxiety, addiction, and relationship problems.
They use therapeutic techniques like cognitive-behavioral therapy to help clients develop coping skills, manage symptoms, and improve overall well-being.
Counselors do not prescribe medication but may collaborate with psychiatrists to ensure clients receive comprehensive care.
Mental Health Occupational Therapists
Occupational Therapist Healthcare Taxonomy Code 225XM0800X
Mental health occupational therapists use therapeutic activities and customized strategies to help people improve their daily functioning and well-being.
They do this by developing coping skills, building routines, and adapting environments to manage symptoms of mental health challenges.
They conduct assessments to understand individual needs and goals, then implement interventions that support emotional stability, independence, and participation in meaningful daily activities like self-care, work, social life, and leisure.
Mental Illness Assisted Living Facilities
Assisted Living Facility Healthcare Taxonomy Code 3104A0625X
Mental illness assisted living facilities provide structured, homelike environments with trained staff to help residents with daily living, mental health support, and community engagement.
They offer services such as personal care assistance, medication management, individual and group therapy, structured social activities, and crisis intervention, all aimed at promoting emotional wellness and a positive quality of life for individuals living with conditions like depression, anxiety, or schizophrenia.
Mental Illness Community Based Residential Treatment Facilities
Residential Treatment Facility Healthcare Taxonomy Code 320800000X
A home-like residential facility providing psychiatric treatment and psycho/social rehabilitative services to individuals diagnosed with mental illness.
Mental Illness Intermediate Care Facilities
Healthcare Taxonomy Code 310500000X
Mental Illness Intermediate Care Facilities (ICFs) are residential facilities that provide habilitation, therapeutic, and supportive health services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who require active treatment and a protected, supervised living environment.
These facilities offer 24-hour care, including assistance with daily living, behavioral support, case management, and access to various therapies, such as physical, occupational, and speech therapy.
The goal is to develop life skills, promote independence, and provide community-integrated support for residents with complex medical and behavioral needs.