Hacking the Mental Health Care System: 3 Tips to Find Better Care

Oct 17

In our previous post, we described major deficiencies in U.S. mental health care.

Today, we will cover key principles for hacking the system, to help you find the best possible care.

Here are 3 Tips to Find Better Mental Health Care:

1. Embrace Integrated Care. Prioritize health care providers that are part of an integrated system, separate from the larger system. Two examples of integrated systems are: Teaching Hospitals and Private Networks. A teaching hospital is linked to a medical school and has a network of multiple clinics. Some of these networks can be quite large, like Cleveland Clinic (200 clinics in Ohio, Florida, and Nevada), Mayo Clinic (50 clinics in Florida, Arizona, and Minnesota), or Cedars-Sinai (40 clinics in Southern California). You might also have the option of choosing a private network of hospitals and clinics through your insurance (like Allegheny Health); some of these private networks even have their own insurance plans (like Kaiser Permanente, or Sutter Health).

These self-contained systems offer multiple services under one roof - be it therapy, medication management, or other forms of treatment. If your loved one needs more intensive care, they might also be able to provide case management, a day program, an IOP (intensive outpatient program) or a PHP (partial hospitalization program).

The main reason it’s better to be part of a self-contained system is that integrated care is more effective than fragmented care. In an ideal world, professionals from different specialties work hand in hand, ensuring cohesive, well-rounded care. The psychiatrist in the clinic can work together with the therapist and the social worker, and if you must go to the hospital at some point, they can communicate directly with hospital staff, and with all of the other medical doctors you see.

It’s sort of like having your own customized team. Integrated care has been shown to improve outcomes, reduce mistakes, and save time and money. Though no system is perfect, integrated care offers the best shot at crafting a personalized approach, tailored to your loved one’s needs.

2. Seek Dedicated Professionals. Find a mental health professional who is available to meet with you on a regular basis, ideally every week or every two weeks. Building trust and understanding is essential, so ensure your loved one is comfortable with the professional you choose. This person is likely to be a therapist or a social worker, since they generally have more time and flexibility than doctors or nurses do. Academic medical centers with renowned training programs are gold mines for finding passionate young professionals working under the tutelage of seasoned staff.

If you’re not sure who to pick, try out a few different people for an initial visit, until you find someone that you feel comfortable with, and who agrees to let you call them in case of emergencies. Having a dedicated professional is indispensable for providing support to your loved one, accessing the right treatments, and helping out in an emergency.

Aim for someone who isn’t planning a move or career change, ensuring a stable, long-term relationship. (You can simply ask, “are you planning to move or change jobs soon?” Or say, “we prefer someone who is going to be around for the long haul.”) That way, your loved one can have continuity of care, meaning they can work with the same person over time.

3. For Serious Mental Illness, Find Recovery-based Programs. If they are available in your area, look for programs based on the Recovery Model of treatment. Traditional treatment approaches lean heavily on medication and aim for symptom management as the main goal. Recovery-Centered care instead places the individual— with all their dreams, hopes, strengths, and vulnerabilities— at the forefront. It's not merely about managing an illness; it's about nurturing growth, fostering independence, and ultimately aiming for recovery and thriving.

This approach also reshapes the patient-provider dynamic into a genuine partnership, where patients are granted the agency, respect, and dignity they deserve. By focusing on an individual’s strengths, this model propels them towards a future defined by their goals, not their challenges.

Finally, because recovery-based programs may receive additional funding, they may be available to you at no extra cost. Examples of recovery-based programs that you might find in your area are PROS clinics, Clubhouses, Day Programs, or ACT Programs.

To summarize, a key takeaway is to look for integrated and personalized care systems. These usually can be found in smaller systems of care where patient well-being is prioritized over rigid insurance protocols.

No program is perfect, and at the end of the day, healthcare workers are mostly well-intentioned human beings responding to incentives. With a better roadmap, you can find caring professionals who are a good fit for your family’s needs.

These recommendations may be more relevant to some caregivers than others, and may not work in every situation. We encourage you to keep these tips in mind as you embark on your healthcare journey. And remember, you don’t have to do it alone! The Care Hack is here to support you.

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The mental healthcare system and the general healthcare system serve different roles in maintaining health and well-being. Understanding these differences can help family caregivers navigate the complexities of mental health treatment and support.
a. Focus and Specialization:
General Healthcare System: Primarily focuses on physical health, addressing illnesses, injuries, and chronic conditions through medical treatments, surgeries, and preventive care.
Mental Healthcare System: Specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and others. It involves a range of professionals including psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists, psychiatric nurses, and social workers.
b. Types of Services:
General Healthcare System: Services typically include primary care, emergency services, hospital care, surgeries, and specialty care (e.g., cardiology, orthopedics).
Mental Healthcare System: Services include psychiatric evaluations, psychotherapy (talk therapy), medication management, crisis intervention, and support groups. There are also specialized facilities such as psychiatric hospitals and residential treatment centers.
c. Access and Availability:
General Healthcare System: Generally, services are widely available and covered by most insurance plans. Patients can visit primary care physicians or specialists as needed.
Mental Healthcare System: Access can be more limited due to stigma, lack of mental health professionals, and insurance coverage gaps. Waiting times for appointments with mental health specialists can be long, and not all insurance plans cover mental health services equally.
4. Treatment Approaches:
General Healthcare System: Treatment often involves medication, surgeries, and other medical interventions. Care is usually based on well-established medical protocols.
Mental Healthcare System: Treatment can be more varied and individualized, combining medication, therapy, and lifestyle changes. Approaches can vary significantly depending on the specific mental health condition and the patient’s needs.
d. Integration of Services:
General Healthcare System: Services are often integrated, with different specialists working together to provide comprehensive care for physical health.
Mental Healthcare System: Integration with other healthcare services is less common. Mental health care can be fragmented, making it challenging for patients and caregivers to coordinate care between mental health providers and other healthcare providers.
e. Role of Caregivers:
General Healthcare System: Family caregivers often assist with physical care, medication management, and transportation to medical appointments.
Mental Healthcare System: Caregivers play a crucial role in providing emotional support, monitoring symptoms, encouraging treatment adherence, and advocating for their loved one within the healthcare system. They may also need to manage crises and ensure the safety of their loved one.
Understanding these differences can help family caregivers better navigate the mental healthcare system and advocate for their loved ones. It’s important to seek out resources, support networks, and professional guidance to effectively manage mental health care and ensure comprehensive support for your loved one.