Many people will experience mental health problems at some point in their lives. It’s normal to experience occasional sadness, grief, or stress. If you are experiencing severe or persistent mental health problems, it is time to seek help.
Dawn Brown, director for information and engagement services at National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), advises that “help is available”. Reaching out to help is crucial, regardless of whether you feel unsafe or the situation becomes a crisis.
What are the best times to get help?
Get help immediately if you think about hurting someone or yourself. Your doctor may be able to refer you to someone if you experience any other symptoms. After they rule out any physical cause for your symptoms they will refer you to a mental healthcare specialist or other resources.
What are the best ways to get emergency help?
Are you planning to harm yourself or someone else? This is a mental health emergency. You should immediately go to an emergency room at your hospital or call the local emergency services. For immediate assistance, dial 911.
Which type of healthcare provider should I see?
Many healthcare professionals can diagnose and treat mental illnesses. You should consult your primary doctor or nurse practitioner if you think you may have a mental illness. They will help you choose the right provider for you. They can often refer you.
Prescribers of medicine
Therapist
A therapist can diagnose and treat mental disorders. There are many types of therapists: psychologists, psychiatrists, and psychoanalysts.
Therapists may specialize in specific areas such as addiction and child behavior issues.
Only certain types of therapists can prescribe medication. A physician or nurse practitioner is required to prescribe medication. You may also need to see a physician’s assistant or a doctor in osteopathic medicine.
Psychiatrist
Your doctor might refer you to psychiatrists if they suspect you may have a mental disorder that needs medication. These doctors often treat depression, anxiety disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Their primary method of providing treatment is often prescribing medication. Many psychiatrists do not offer to counsel. Many psychiatrists work with other mental health professionals who can offer to counsel.
Psychotherapist for nurses
Psychotherapists are trained to diagnose and treat mental disorders. They can also treat other conditions.
A nurse psychotherapist holds an advanced nursing degree. They can be nurse practitioners or clinical nurse specialists. Most states don’t allow clinical nurse specialists to prescribe medication. Nurse practitioners can prescribe medications. Nurse practitioners often combine counseling and medication to treat patients.
Psychologist
Your doctor may refer you to a psychologist if they think you might benefit from therapy. Psychologists can diagnose and treat mental disorders and problems such as depression, anxiety disorders, and eating disorders, learning disabilities, substance abuse, and relationship problems.
Psychologists can also be trained to administer psychological tests. They might, for example, administer an IQ test or personality assessment.
Counseling or other therapy can help you manage your symptoms. They can also prescribe medication in some states, including Louisiana, Illinois, and New Mexico. When they are unable to prescribe medication, psychologists may work with other healthcare professionals who can.
Physicians who are unable to prescribe medicine
Family and marital therapist
Family and marital therapists have been trained in psychotherapy, family systems, and marriage counseling. They treat couples and individuals who have difficulties coping with marital or child-parent issues.
Family and marital therapists can’t prescribe medication. They often work with healthcare professionals who can prescribe medication.
Specialist in peer mentoring
Peer specialists are individuals who have experienced mental health problems and have recovered. Peer specialists offer support for others going through similar situations. They may assist people with substance abuse, trauma, or other mental health issues.
Peer specialists serve as role models and support sources. Peer specialists share their own experiences in recovery to offer guidance and hope to others. Peer specialists can help individuals set goals and create strategies to get on the right path. Peer specialists can work as paid employees for organizations. Some offer their services as volunteers.
Because they are not clinical professionals, peer specialists cannot prescribe medication.
Professional counselors licensed
LPCs are licensed professional counselors who can provide individual or group counseling. You can choose to have several titles depending on what they specialize in. Some LPCs offer family therapy and marriage counseling.
LPCs are not licensed to prescribe medication.
Counselors for mental health
A mental counselor can diagnose and treat individuals who are dealing with difficult life events, such as grief, relationship problems, or mental health conditions like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.
Counselors in mental health provide individual and group counseling. Some are employed in private practice. Some work in private practice. Others work at hospitals or residential treatment centers.
Because they don’t have a license, mental health counselors cannot prescribe medications. Many work with healthcare professionals who can prescribe medication when necessary.
