Do I need follow-up care after an urgent psychiatric care visit?

Jessica Dixon | October 17, 2023

After an urgent psychiatric care visit, people get a discharge plan that explains what to do next. The plan may have care instructions and details about prescribed medications. Some people wonder if they need follow-up care, especially if they feel better. Feeling better is good. But working toward feeling even better is really important. One helpful step in reaching that goal is to go to a follow-up visit after an urgent psychiatric care appointment. In this guide, we will discuss why follow-up visits are essential and what they involve. 

Is follow-up care necessary?

Yes! Mental health care does not stop when a person leaves the urgent psychiatric care center. Even when a person feels okay, follow-up care is essential to help them continue feeling that way. 

Sometimes, it is hard for people to keep feeling good on their own, especially if things in their lives that led to mental health struggles have not changed. Without follow-up care, they may find themselves struggling again. The good news is follow-up care can help a person stay on the path to recovery. 

Each person’s discharge plan is unique, and sticking to the plan is important. But as a general rule, it is a good idea to go to a follow-up care visit within seven days of discharge and again within one month. This way, a person can check in with someone who understands mental health, get the help they need and make sure things are still going well. 

Why is follow-up care after an urgent psychiatric care visit important?

It can be challenging to go back to daily activities after discharge from the supportive environment of an urgent psychiatric care center. Follow-up care makes it easier to go back to everyday life. It can also help people stick to their treatment plan. A follow-up care visit may lower the chances of having more tough times in the future and help people be healthier in the long run. 

What does a follow-up care visit entail?

The specifics of follow-up care will vary based on each individual’s unique needs, but here is what usually happens:

  1. Talk about how you are doing. A mental health professional will ask how the person is feeling and how things are going in their life. They will want to understand if anything is getting better or worse, or if new things are concerning. 
  2. Check on medication. If the person takes prescribed medication, the provider will want to know if it works well. They can help if there are any problems with the medication, like bad reactions or challenges remembering to take it. 
  3. Learn new ways to cope. One of the most important parts of ongoing treatment is learning new ways to cope. During the follow-up care visit, the provider will help people practice healthy skills to handle life’s difficulties and feel better. 
  4. Get more help if needed. There are many different types of help. A follow-up visit is a great time to talk about how treatment is going and learn more about other treatment options if needed. 
  5. Learn about resources. Often, when a person is having a hard time with their mental health, it has a lot to do with other things that are not going so well. If a person needs help finding a stable place to live or a job, they can learn about resources at the follow-up care visit. 

MIND 24-7 urgent psychiatric care

Taking care of mental health is an ongoing effort. Follow-up care helps people to keep feeling their best. It is important to remember that no one has to be on this journey on their own. Going to a follow-up visit allows people to continue on the path to healing with help from people who care. 

When life gets overwhelming, MIND 24-7 is here to help. Our doors are always open for walk-in mental health care, follow-up visits and more. All adults and youth are welcome, no matter their ability to pay. We are open 24/7/365 and help most patients see a provider in 20 minutes or less. 
If you or a loved one needs mental health care in minutes, not days or weeks, visit one of our convenient locations in the Phoenix area or text/call 1-844-MIND247.