How to find the right level of mental health support

Navigating the world of mental health care can feel super overwhelming, especially when you begin bumping up against long waitlists, high costs, and confusing clinical jargon. The team at Bend is here to help you better understand the different levels of care, equipping you with the knowledge and resources you need to ask informed questions and act as an empowered advocate for your child. 

Just like a physical injury might require anything from a simple bandage to a more complex surgery, mental health concerns also call for different levels of care tailored to the specific needs. This guide walks you through the different types of support, helping you understand the 'why' behind each level and the importance of finding the right fit for your child's unique needs.

What are the different types of mental health support? 

Finding the right type of support for your child or teen can help them feel seen and understood, while providing the real-life tools needed to achieve lasting positive outcomes. 

The severity of a young person’s symptoms, their impact on daily life (like school, friendships, and family dynamics), and the underlying causes all play a role in determining the most effective treatment approach. This is where different levels of care come into play, offering a spectrum of support from early intervention to more intensive programs. 

Behavioral Health Support Services 

• Mental Health Coaching: Think of coaching as a proactive and practical approach, often best suited for navigating early or milder emotional concerns. It focuses on the 'here and now,' helping your child develop tangible skills and behavioral strategies to manage daily stressors and improve their overall functioning. Coaches work with your child to set specific goals and empower them with tools they can use right away. It's often a great option for children and young adults who are starting to show signs of stress or difficulty but may not yet require more intensive clinical intervention.
  
  
• Therapy: This level of care is led by a licensed professional who is trained to diagnose and treat more persistent emotional or behavioral symptoms. Therapy is key when a child is experiencing persistent anxiety, depression, has gone through trauma, or is facing significant adjustment difficulties that interfere with their daily life. Using evidence-based approaches, a therapist provides a safe space for your child to explore the impact of past experiences, process complex emotions, and develop long-term resilience and coping mechanisms.
  
  
• Psychiatric Services: Sometimes, behavioral strategies and emotional processing in therapy are more effective when coupled with medical management. Psychiatric services are provided by board-certified psychiatrists or nurse practitioners who specialize in the medical aspects of mental health conditions. While a therapist focuses on behavioral and emotional work, a psychiatric provider oversees medication management, if appropriate, to stabilize neurobiological factors. This can help optimize your child's overall recovery, and these services often work hand-in-hand with therapy for a comprehensive treatment plan. 

Higher Levels of Care

• Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (vIOP): This program is designed for young people who need a more intensive level of care than traditional weekly therapy. It's specifically equipped to handle severe challenges such as significant anxiety, deep depression, self-harm, or suicidal ideation. A key advantage of a virtual IOP is that it's structured to allow your child to continue with daily life, like attending school and extracurricular activities, while still receiving focused, intensive care. This program provides stabilization and the development of critical coping skills in a supportive, multidisciplinary setting.

Diagnostic Clarification

• Neuropsychological Evaluations: This process offers a comprehensive look at your child's cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning. It's a discovery process that provides deep insight into areas like memory, attention, perception, language, and personality. Neuro psych evaluations help to identify a child's unique strengths and the specific areas where they may need specialized support. The results can be seamlessly integrated into your child's care plan, helping to determine the best treatment approach and even guiding decisions about their optimal learning environment, ensuring they have the tools to reach their full potential.

It’s normal to feel unsure about which path to take. You don’t have to be an expert—that’s what we’re here for. At Bend, the journey begins with a comprehensive clinical assessment. During this initial process, our team evaluates your child’s unique symptoms, daily challenges, and family goals. As your child grows and their needs change, we’ll work with you to adjust their care plan, ensuring they always have the right-sized support for where they are today. Reach out to our team to discuss which level of care is right for your family.