Mental Health Assessments
When you contact Bakersfield Behavioral Healthcare Hospital about mental health treatment for you or a loved one, we begin the admissions process with a free and confidential assessment. Mental illness and/or chemical dependency can be complicated and confusing, and each patient we treat requires an individual path of care to recovery. By taking the time at the beginning of the process to explore the patient’s needs, struggles, emotions, and understanding of the issue, we can create a more comprehensive plan for education and treatment. Our goal with the assessment is to efficiently and effectively evaluate how you or a loved one are feeling and coping, both emotionally and physically, so that we may identify and recommend which services best meet your needs.
What is a mental health assessment?
Before you are admitted to one of our treatment programs at Bakersfield Behavioral Healthcare Hospital, we will perform a psychosocial assessment. This is a free, in-person meeting with one of our trained clinical professionals who can help you determine the level of care needed to treat your condition. The conversation will cover your medical, psychiatric, and/or substance abuse history, as well as your feelings, challenges, and worries concerning treatment. Our assessment staff has experience and is dedicated to helping you or your loved one feel comfortable seeking treatment by making sure you understand the condition and recovery process.
After performing the mental health assessment, we will help you determine whether you need to be hospitalized or receive some other type of treatment, such as in one of our outpatient programs or through care available elsewhere in the community. Once the assessment is complete, our staff will discuss the results with you and guide you to the best course of action. Although you don’t have to enter one of our mental health programs immediately, the sooner the healing process is started, the better the outcomes.
How do I schedule an assessment?
If you or a loved one are dealing with a mental illness and/or chemical dependency, simply call our Assessment and Referral Department at 1.877.755.4907 at any time. Our staff will help you determine if a face-to-face assessment is the appropriate next step. Normally, we can schedule mental health evaluations the same day you call us. Feel free to bring a family member or friend to your mental health assessment, as this may give you additional support and lead to the discovery of useful information from an outside perspective.
When do I call you about an assessment?
If you feel you are dealing with any sort of mental illness and/or chemical dependency and want to know if treatment is necessary, call Bakersfield Behavioral Healthcare Hospital for a mental health assessment. Although it is not a psychiatric evaluation, the assessment can help you decide if you should pursue mental health care services. Now is the time to call Bakersfield Behavioral Healthcare Hospital if you are having difficulty at school, work, or home due to any of the conditions below:
- Anxiety/panic attacks
- Depression
- Drug/alcohol abuse
- Bipolar Disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Suicidal/homicidal thoughts
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Individuals with a mental health and/or chemical dependency need may:
- Feel sad, depressed or alone
- Think about suicide
- Feel helpless, hopeless or worthless
- Be suspicious or fear that people are out to get you or them
- Drink alcohol excessively or use illegal drugs
- Be unable to control or stop destructive behavior
- Develop troubling physical symptoms that have no medical cause
- See, hear or experience sensations that others don’t
- Have OCD, imaginary or strange beliefs, despite proof that they are false
- Have extreme mood swings
- Threaten violence or become aggressive and violent.
What do I need to bring to an assessment?
- Medication list with dosages
- Pharmacy information
- Medical history and/or conditions
- History of diagnoses
- Insurance information
- Vital statistics (if necessary)
- Emergency contact list
- Information about your or a loved one’s outpatient provider(s)
Here is a list of what to bring for your inpatient care.
Not sure if you are dealing with a mental health condition? Give us a call at 1.877.755.4907 with any questions regarding mental health disorders, chemical dependency and treatment.