Different types of mental health organizations exist to help patients with issues pertaining to mental illness, depression, or emotional trauma. Some are owned privately and offer assistance to those with insurance or who can't afford to pay out of pocket. Others are funded by the government and offer help to low-income clients. Still other types of mental health organizations are designed to educate the public on mental illness and to provide support to family members of the mentally ill.
Privately owned clinics and offices are one of the types of mental health organizations, and they offer psychiatric and psychological care to those with various mental illnesses and those who have suffered through some kind of emotional trauma, such as abuse. Psychiatrists are generally medical doctors who are able to prescribe medications, while psychologists may offer counseling and other therapeutic services. Both methods are often needed to give patients the best chance at a full recovery.
Government-funded mental health organizations generally offer the same services as privately owned ones, but for free or at discounted rates. Hospitals and clinics are often provided for those with lower incomes and for the uninsured. The quality of care in these facilities is often compromised, however, due to lack of funding and because they are under-staffed or with a large quantity of patients.
Other types of mental health organizations include educational groups that inform the public, as well as families of the mentally ill, about various illnesses and their causes. In most nations there is still a stigma against those with mental illnesses. This is largely due to misinformation regarding these conditions, as well as certain outdated ideas. For example, many religious groups used to teach that mental illness was caused by a curse, bad behavior, or demonic possession. In reality, most mentally patients are suffering from a chemical imbalance in the brain.
Thanks to many different types of mental health organizations, the public is learning more about various mental illnesses. Many of these places also offer support groups for sufferers as well as their families. These are meetings and groups where people can share experiences and hardships without fear of judgment or ridicule. This is a very important concept for those who suffer from a mental illness as well as those who live with someone who does.
