Mental Health Care

Mental illnesses, also called psychiatric disorders, are similar to physical illnesses in that they may manifest themselves in different forms and to varying degrees. Included under this chronic disease group is schizophrenia, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, concurrent disorders (a condition in which a person has both a mental illness and a substance use problem), and dual diagnosis (an individual with a mental illness and a co-occurring developmental disability). General hospital psychiatric units provide assessment, stabilization and discharge planning for individuals who experience acute, severe psychiatric-related problems, while specialty hospitals provide more comprehensive care to individuals with more complex needs requiring longer lengths of stay.  This website rates how well these hospitals deliver mental health care services based on patient perception of care and patients discharged against medical advice.

To find out how well hospitals rate on mental health care,
click here and then select "Mental Health Care" from the drop-down list on the next page