When Your Patient Needs Mental Health Support: Make a Referral
As a primary care physician, we know you are committed to your patients’ overall health and well-being. Recognizing the intricate connection between mental and physical health, it is imperative to address the mental health needs of your patients with the same dedication as their physical health.
At Connections Wellness Group, we understand the role you play in your patients’ health journey, and our clinicians are here to serve as an extension of your team for those who require more specialized support outside of your expertise. If you have patients struggling with depression, anxiety or other mental health challenges, we can help you transition their care to get them on the path to healing.
CWG’s comprehensive care includes accelerated therapy programs (PHP/IOP) and psychiatric services, with both in-person and virtual options available for adults and adolescents.
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Tennessee locations: (901) 455-2269
Texas locations: (940) 289-4511
Signs a Patient Needs More Help with Their Mental Health
Identifying when a patient requires mental health support is essential for their well-being. Here are some key signs that indicate the need for a referral to a mental health provider.
- Persistent sadness or hopelessness: When a patient exhibits ongoing feelings of sadness or a noticeable decrease in interest in daily activities, this may be a sign of depression or another mental health challenge.
- Anxiety and panic attacks: Frequent, intense feelings of anxiety or panic that interfere with daily life often mean a patient should seek more support. Anxiety and panic disorders can impact a person’s ability to function at work, school and in relationships.
- Behavioral changes: Sudden or extreme changes in behavior, mood swings or withdrawal from social interactions can be a sign of a mood disorder, personality disorder or substance use disorder.
- Substance abuse: Increasing dependence on drugs or alcohol to cope with emotional distress may stem from an underlying mental health challenge.
- Self-harm or suicidal thoughts: If suicidal thoughts are creeping in or there is any indication of self-harm, this is a critical sign a patient should seek immediate help. They can call a crisis hotline like the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988), but we also recommend getting professional help as soon as possible.
This is not an exhaustive list, but rather some of the main signs an individual could be struggling with their mental health. If you have any concerns with these signs or believe a patient is experiencing other mental health issues, please don’t hesitate to reach out so we can provide more support.
Benefits of Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) and Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP)
Connections Wellness Group offers numerous treatment options for a range of mental health challenges and diagnoses, primarily focused around our intensive outpatient program (IOP) and partial hospitalization program (PHP). With in-person and virtual therapy options, our programs are flexible and designed to meet them wherever they’re at in the healing process.
Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP)
IOP provides structured, intensive care three to four hours per day, while still enabling patients to maintain part of their daily routines. Many patients “graduate” to an IOP after finishing a PHP. Benefits include:
- Structure yet flexibility: Patients can attend therapy sessions while giving them time to practice their coping skills and may continue to participate in work, school and/or family commitments.
- Supportive environment: Regular group therapy and individual counseling sessions offer a supportive space and community.
- Skill development: Patients are given the knowledge, strategies and opportunity to manage their mental health symptoms.
Partial Hospital Programs (PHP)
PHP offers a higher level of care and programming than IOP, which is ideal for patients who need more intensive support without full hospitalization. Benefits include:
- Comprehensive care: Access to a wide range of therapeutic services, including medical and psychiatric evaluations.
- Structured schedule: Daily programming ensures consistent, intensive treatment.
- Holistic approach: Integration of various therapeutic modalities to address mental, emotional and physical health.
For adolescent patients, we provide an academic component of treatment that includes dedicated time for students to focus on completing schoolwork in a quiet, monitored environment.
In addition to and in collaboration with IOP and PHP, here are some of the other mental health services and programs available through CWG that may be beneficial to your patients:
- Individual therapy as part of IOP/PHP
Why Refer Patients to Connections Wellness Group?
When your patient needs life-changing – and potentially life-saving – mental health treatment, we ensure referrals and client admission are fast and easy. CWG provides free pre-admission screenings performed by a licensed master-level clinician who consults with the team to provide recommendations for the next step on the spot.
CWG clinicians are used to collaborating with primary care physicians and pediatricians to present a unified care plan that considers the whole individual.
As you consider referrals for your patients, don’t just take our word for it. We value our patients’ outcomes. Research shows our patients get better faster than the national average. Using Trac9, a patient self-reporting tool that surveys our patients throughout their time with us, we learned patients have experienced:
24% Reduction in Symptoms
13% Increase in Gratitude
24% Increase in Hope
26% Increase in Resilience
54% Increase in Optimism
78% Increase in Life Satisfaction
Results are based on 2023 Trac9 data.
Make a Referral for Mental Health Treatment
Your patients trust you with their health and when it comes to mental health, Connections Wellness Group is here to extend that trust. By referring your patients to CWG, you are ensuring they receive the comprehensive, compassionate care they deserve to lead a life filled with more hope for the future.
Or fax it to us
Tennessee locations: (901) 455-2269
Texas locations: (940) 289-4511