According to Mental Health America, nearly 20% of American adults, or as many as 44 million people, and an additional 20% of children will experience a diagnosable mental health disorder in a given year. Many of these mental health disorders can be managed or treated with the help of a qualified mental health professional. This treatment process typically begins with a psychiatric evaluation. Northwestern Medicine explains that a psychiatric evaluation, also known as a psychiatric assessment or psychological screening, is the process of gathering information about an individual within a psychiatric service, with the purpose of making a diagnosis. A thorough psychiatric evaluation is often comprised of a series of formal or structured psychological tests and clinical interviews “designed to identify and describe emotional, behavioral, or learning problems” conducted by a licensed psychologist. It provides the diagnosing medical professional with a complete picture of one’s emotional state, which is invaluable to providing an accurate diagnosis.
Mental Health Services Through Kaiser
Kaiser Permanente is the largest not-for-profit managed care organization in America and was founded in 1945. It is made up of three organizations: Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Kaiser Foundation Hospitals, and Permanente Medical Groups. It offers high-quality and affordable healthcare through individual and family medical insurance plans. Kaiser provides medical insurance to approximately 12.4 million members in America. As of 2021, Kaiser Permanente plans became available for purchase through the Marketplace in several states including California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Washington, Maryland, Virginia, Washington D.C., and Oregon. The specific mental health treatment coverage may vary between Kaiser Permanente plans, but all include some level of coverage for in-network providers (such as Friendly House) delivering outpatient, intensive outpatient, and inpatient mental health treatment services.
In efforts to ensure each member gets what they need, Kaiser has simplified the process for obtaining mental health treatment and unlike other health insurance companies, Kaiser plans do not require a referral to access mental health services, including psychiatric evaluations. To connect its members with the right kind of care Kaiser encourages its members to give them a call and speak with a mental health care representative to provide information such as “your personal preferences, background, beliefs, and lifestyle.” After which, they will schedule an initial assessment where you and your mental health care provider will co-create a customized treatment plan based on your unique needs, challenges, and goals.
For Information and Support
Substance abuse and addiction can be incredibly dangerous and can result in severe short and long-term consequences. If you or someone you know is suffering from substance abuse or addiction, please get help as soon as possible. The earlier you seek support, the sooner you and your loved ones can return to leading happy, healthy, and fulfilling lives. There is no reason to go through this alone, and we are here to help. Please feel free to reach out to us for further information or with any questions regarding substance abuse or addiction. We are available anytime via telephone at: 213-389-9964, or you can always email us at: info@friendlyhousela.org.
