Mental health is just as important to living life to the fullest as physical health is. And skilled, compassionate behavioral health care is critical for anyone living with a mental illness or substance use disorder.
Untreated behavioral health issues can harm your relationships and professional life. It can also damage your physical health and overall quality of life.
About one in five U.S. adults gets treatment for a mental illness each year. That’s according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). And more than 10 million U.S. adults per year experience both mental health and substance use issues.
Behavioral health professionals work to diagnose, treat, and prevent conditions such as:
- Anxiety.
- Bipolar disorder.
- Depression.
- Eating disorders.
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder.
- Postpartum depression.
- Substance use disorder.
- Schizophrenia.
- Trauma.
Behavioral experts can help those who struggle with their mental health or need to find care for a loved one. You should feel treated with dignity and respect as you reach your recovery goals.
Here’s how to know if you or someone you love needs help — and where to find quality care close to home.
When You Need Help
Recognizing the signs of a behavioral health issue is the first step to seeking support and treatment.
These signs vary depending on the specific condition, but some common signs include:
- Behavioral changes: Increased agitation, acting without thinking, apathy, aggression, isolation, or social withdrawal.
- Changes in appetite or weight: Eating more or less than usual, which may lead to weight gain or loss.
- Changes in performance: Decline in performance at work, school, or other areas of life, including decreased productivity or attendance.
- Changes in sleep patterns: Insomnia or oversleeping, which may result in fatigue or exhaustion.
- Difficulty concentrating: Difficulty focusing, making decisions, or remembering things. This may impact work, school, or daily tasks.
- Mood changes: Persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, irritability, or mood swings.
- Physical symptoms: Unexplained physical symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, or other aches. That also includes pains that don’t have a clear medical cause.
- Risk-taking behaviors: Engaging in risky behaviors such as reckless driving or unsafe sexual practices.
- Substance abuse: Increased use of alcohol, drugs, or other substances as a way to cope with emotions or symptoms.
- Suicidal thoughts: Thoughts of suicide or self-harm are serious signs that require immediate attention and intervention. Crisis and emergency services can help. If you have thoughts of suicide or self-harm, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.
Anyone who’s experiencing any of these should see a mental health professional.
Emergency and Crisis Services
Connecting with the right emergency services and resources is important for those in crisis.
You can always call 988 — the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline — and reach local crisis support for any mental or behavioral health emergency.
Other national crisis resources include:
- Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
- Trevor Lifeline (for LGBTQ Youth): 1-866-488-7386
- Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255
Community resources
UPMC Western Behavioral Health handles more than 177,000 calls a year. We also offer 24-hour hotlines, walk-in centers, and psychiatric hospital emergency departments.
Emergency mental health care is available 24/7 at UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital, 3811 O’Hara St., Pittsburgh. It’s also available at your nearest hospital emergency department.
If you or your loved one is dealing with an urgent mental health need, call UPMC Western at 412-624-1000 or toll-free at 1-877-624-4100.
In Pittsburgh and Allegheny County, resolve Crisis Services can help you find someone to talk to and somewhere to go.
These services are available for:
- Emergency psychiatric treatment and referrals.
- Inpatient admission.
- Substance abuse treatment and referrals.
Resolve Crisis Services is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The resolve Crisis Services hotline is 1-888-796-8226.
Outside of Allegheny County, crisis services are available through the following:
Blair County
UPMC Altoona Crisis Services
814-889-2141, Option 1
Beaver County
UPMC Beaver Crisis Services
1-800-400-6180
Erie County
UPMC Safe Harbor Crisis Services
814-456-2014
To opt in to the UPMC Mental Health Toolbox, text MHTOOLS to 91939.
Finding Behavioral Health Care
Behavioral health refers to mental health and substance use disorders, life stressors, and crises. It can also refer to stress-related physical symptoms. That’s according to the American Medical Association.
Behavioral health care is the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of those conditions.
A mental health or behavioral specialist offers the knowledge, experience, and compassionate care to support you and your loved ones. This is the case whether you’re having a temporary mental health crisis or an ongoing behavioral health problem.
Outpatient treatment typically involves therapy and medication management on a nonresidential basis. Inpatient treatment is more intensive care within a hospital or residential facility.
Choosing the right service
Choosing the right behavioral health care service involves considering several factors. This is so you can ensure that you or your loved ones get appropriate and effective care.
Some key factors to consider are:
- Cultural competence: Consider whether the service works well for people from different cultural backgrounds. Is the environment welcoming?
- Cost and insurance coverage: Understand the cost of treatment and whether your insurance covers the services. If you don’t have insurance, ask about payment options or sliding-scale fees based on income. You can also use online directories to find clinics in your network.
- Evidence-based practices: Look for clinics where research has proved their treatments work well for specific mental health conditions.
- Expertise: Consider the staff’s expertise and experience. Do they have experience and training in treating your specific condition or issues? What qualifications do they have?
- Location: Consider how close or far away the clinic is.
- Quality of care: Research the clinic and staff’s reputation. Look for reviews, testimonials, or ratings.
- Range of services: When considering clinics, ask what kind of services they offer. Services may include individual therapy, group therapy, and medication management. They may also include special programs for certain conditions.
What to Expect: Your First Visit
Your first visit with a behavioral health expert is an important step. This is true whether it’s a therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, or counselor.
Here’s what you can expect:
- Intake: You’ll likely begin with some paperwork. This may include medical history forms, insurance information, and consent forms. This helps your doctor understand your background and any relevant medical information.
- Assessment: Your doctor will conduct an initial assessment to gather information about your current symptoms. They’ll also look at your mental health history, family history, and any relevant life events or stressors. They may ask questions about your mood, thoughts, and behaviors. They may also ask about any physical symptoms you’re experiencing.
- Goal setting: You’ll work with your doctor to establish treatment goals based on your concerns and needs.
- Treatment: Your doctor will discuss potential treatment options with you. These may include therapy, medication management, lifestyle changes, and other interventions.
- Education: Your doctor may educate you about your condition, symptoms, and treatment options. They may also share information about self-care strategies, coping skills, and additional support resources.
- Setting expectations: Your doctor will discuss what to expect from treatment. This may include the frequency and duration of appointments and the potential side effects of any medication. They’ll also explain how they plan on following your progress.
- Follow-up: You’ll likely schedule a follow-up appointment to continue working on your treatment goals.
Questions to ask your mental health provider
Here are some questions you might consider asking your behavioral health expert:
- What qualifications and experience do you have in treating this condition?
- Can you explain the treatment options available to me and their potential benefits and risks?
- How long do you anticipate the treatment process will take and what can I expect along the way?
- Will any lifestyle changes support my treatment plan?
- What should I do if I experience side effects or have concerns about my treatment?
- How frequently should I expect appointments and what is your availability for emergencies or urgent matters?
- Can you share some information or resources for family members who may have some involvement in my treatment?
- Do you recommend any self-care strategies or resources for managing symptoms between appointments?
Navigating Payment and Insurance for Behavioral Health Care
Understanding insurance coverage for behavioral health services is crucial for getting the care you need. It’s also important for managing costs.
- Keep records: Keep detailed records of your interactions with your insurance company, including phone calls and emails.
- Know your network providers: Ask about the network of clinics your insurance plan covers. In-network doctors typically cost less out of pocket than out-of-network doctors. Ask for a list of in-network behavioral health care services in your area.
- Payment plans and financial help: Payment plans, financial help, and sliding scales are often possible for those without insurance or who can’t afford treatment.
- Prior authorization: Some insurance plans require prior authorization for certain behavioral health services. This is especially true for intensive treatments or specialized care.
- Understand cost-sharing: Pay attention to your out-of-pocket costs. These can include copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles.
- Verify coverage: Contact your insurance provider to verify your coverage for behavioral health services. Ask about the types of services covered and any limitations.
The Importance of Communication
Effective communication with your doctor fosters a relationship built on trust, mutual respect, and understanding.
Those who feel comfortable and supported are more likely to engage actively in their treatment and share sensitive information.
Mental health stigma and shame can hinder open communication. A supportive environment helps reduce stigma and normalizes discussions about mental health. It also encourages people to seek help without fear of judgment.