The term mental health retreat can be considered only available to wealthy people or celebrities. In reality, a mental health retreat might be something that could benefit you substantially and, in some cases, could be covered by insurance.
A retreat is something that can be very broad. The definition can be whatever works best for you.
For example, some people think of a mental health retreat as somewhere you travel to receive holistic care and take time away from daily life while focusing on your wellness. At a luxury retreat, you might receive nutritional support, prepared meals, and an immersive approach to your well-being.
A retreat could include a combination of individual therapy with holistic and experiential therapies to promote the healing process.
You could also take time away from work or your responsibilities to receive intensive mental health care but not in a residential setting.
Regardless of how your retreat or time away might look, the goal is the same—to help you get on track with your mental health and feel your best to return to your daily life.
Inpatient Mental Health Retreats
An inpatient retreat is a residential setting. You can receive comprehensive treatment for mental health conditions and any emotional disorders you’re experiencing in a setting that offers you privacy.
- Inpatient mental health retreats will usually include a combination of psychotherapy, talk therapy, psychiatry, and medication management.
- Going to an inpatient retreat can help someone who feels overwhelmed or as if they can’t find a solution to what they’re going through.
- When you’re struggling with mental health, it can cause you to feel tired and helpless. Unmanaged mental health conditions take a tremendous toll on your quality of life.
- Getting help on an inpatient basis allows you to develop skills and the knowledge to regain a sense of control over your feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. You can take time away from caring for others to relearn or perhaps learn for the first time what self-care means.
- A wellness retreat focused on mental health can last for a day or two. Residential treatment can also be a longer program lasting for weeks or more.
Why Would Someone Go to an Inpatient Retreat?
Mental and emotional health is complex. There are so many things in our genetics and biology and our past and present environment that all contribute to mental and emotional health.
Treatment needs to consider that complexity and all of those many factors that brought you to where you are currently.
Going to a retreat or inpatient mental health program can also allow you to take a step away from your daily life and gain a new perspective. You can figure out what’s working and what isn’t, and you get that space that can bring clarity.
Your everyday environment is likely a source of tremendous stress. You may have job and family demands that are always weighing on you and making you feel like you can’t take care of yourself.
It’s common to feel nervous about the concept of stepping away from your life and going to a retreat focused on mental health. You have to realize that you can rebuild or strengthen your foundation when you take this time. You will be stronger when you return home, and you’ll be in a better position to repair anything in your life that you feel may need it.
Benefits of a retreat include:
- You have a safe, stable environment where you can work through whatever is going on.
- The environment may provide holistic services, encouragement, and positive motivation.
- You can take a break from triggers and stress in your daily life.
- A retreat or residential mental health care facility team may be able to diagnose problems you weren’t even aware of.
When Should You Consider Intensive Psychological Care?
There are often signs that might indicate you should consider seeking care and perhaps something more intensive than just seeing a therapist.
Signs you should think about a retreat or inpatient level of care include:
- You have debilitating anxiety. Anxiety is a mental health disorder if you can’t control it. Anxiety disorders can significantly affect your functionality in your daily life, and you may experience panic attacks.
- Maybe you notice that you’re pulling away or withdrawing from things or people you care about and love. You might be disengaged with the things that once were interesting to you.
- Your behavior could be changing, and outwardly people could be concerned. For example, maybe you’re having angry outbursts or putting yourself or others in risky situations.
- A sense of hopelessness may be clouding your life. You could feel overwhelmed and like nothing will get better.
- Your personality has changed, and you no longer feel like yourself.
- Maybe you feel stuck in a repetitive, negative cycle.
- You have a severe disorder like bipolar disorder or major depression that’s not currently well-controlled and significantly affects your everyday life.
Taking Time Off Work
If you consider behavioral health services lasting more than a few days, you may have to take time off work. This is something people tend to fear most about seeking treatment.
You should know that the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) could protect you if you’re experiencing concerns about your health, including your mental health. The law allows you to take time off work if you’re experiencing serious mental or physical health symptoms, but the time is unpaid unless your employer stipulates otherwise.
You may qualify for up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave, and your job is protected during this time, but you have to qualify under the law.
You should talk to your employer if you’re requesting extended leave. If you work for a bigger company, your employee handbook may explain the steps you should take.
You should bring medical documentation when you speak to your employer or HR department, and you should be prepared to answer questions about what’s going on with your mental health and why you’re taking time off.
Most employers want at least 30 days’ notice, so keep this in mind. If you’re going to leave sooner than t that, tell your employer as soon as you can.
Is a Mental Health Retreat Covered by Insurance?
Whether or not a retreat for mental health issues or mental health services is covered by insurance will depend on your type of coverage and carrier. The retreat you choose will also play a role, but mental health care coverage is often included under insurance plans.
If you’d like to learn more about taking a mental health retreat in California, call (858) 258-9883 and reach out to the Mental Health Center of San Diego to learn more. We can explain program options and work with insurance companies to verify behavioral therapy and mental illness treatment coverage.
