Guide to Mental Health Services

When it comes to taking care of mental health, there are different kinds of support available to help. Understanding these different services is key to knowing where to turn for help when it’s needed. Here are some types of  mental health services you might find in Arkansas.

1. Therapy or Counseling: Talking to a trained professional who listens and offers strategies to help with feelings and problems. These professionals might be called counselors or therapists.  There are several different types of mental health professionals who provide therapy or counseling. These include psychologists, licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs), and licensed professional counselors (LPCs).
2. Medication Management: Getting medicines prescribed by doctors called psychiatrists or psychiatric nurse practitioners. These medications are sometimes used to treat conditions like anxiety or depression.
3. School Counseling: School counselors are different from therapists or counselors like LCSWs or LPCs/ They are professionals in schools who help students with their problems, schoolwork, making friends, and thinking about jobs for the future.
4. School-Based Mental Health Therapy: When a therapist or counselor comes to the school to provide therapy or counseling.
5. Support Groups: Gatherings organized by mental health professionals or trained volunteers where people with similar issues come together to share experiences and support each other.
6. Case Management: Help from social workers or case managers who organize different services needed, such as finding housing or getting support for school or work.
7. Crisis Intervention: Immediate help and support in emergencies or tough times, often provided by crisis hotlines, emergency mental health services, or sometimes by psychiatrists, psychologists, or social workers during urgent situations.
8. Telehealth: Talking to a mental health professional through a computer or phone, which can be helpful if you can’t visit in person. Teletherapy sessions are counseling sessions conducted by counselors, therapists, psychologists, or other mental health professionals.