How Community-Based Rehabilitation Services (CBRS) Help Improve Mental Health Outcomes

Mental health is a critical aspect of a person’s overall health. The healthcare industry, private, and government sectors strive to develop and implement effective programs that address mental health concerns. These programs aim to reduce the number of people suffering from mental conditions such as depression and anxiety. Such programs also promote the creation of community-based rehabilitation services to ensure people have easy access to mental health services and support. 

What Are Community-Based Rehabilitation Services?

Community-Based Rehabilitation Services (CBRS) are psychiatric rehabilitation interventions or programs in the home or community setting which aim to help participants develop and reinforce functional skills. Portneuf Valley Family Center and similar CBRS providers have qualified health professionals who assist participants in improving life skills, especially those with persistent and serious mental conditions.

CBRS is particularly concerned with the following:

1- Early Diagnosis And Intervention

Local community members trained as CBRS workers can help identify people suffering from depression, chronic schizophrenia, and other mental health problems in their immediate community. 

CBRS programs also promote awareness and address social stigma, facilitating economic and social rehabilitation. The patient outcomes in CBRS programs are better than those who receive outpatient care because community members can have regular check-ups, follow-ups, and close monitoring.

2- Manage And Support Functional Needs 

CBRS and skills-building modalities have varying duration, intensity, and frequency. Such interventions help support a participant’s capacity to handle functional needs independently. Aside from adults, the target population of CBRS is young people with serious emotional disturbance (SED) brought about by a major life event or trauma. 

A participant will undergo a comprehensive functional assessment. Afterwhich, the CBRS provider will create a customized skills-building treatment plan. The treatment plan is based on the individual’s development, psychosocial, and specific needs. 

A skills-building program promotes resilience. CBRS specialists teach participants age-appropriate skills not acquired due to a behavioral problem or trauma. Some examples of functional needs that CBRS programs can address include the following:

– Speech and mobility assistance, such as talking, walking, and running for young children.

– Cognitive needs, such as remembering things for older adults.

– Developing good coping mechanisms to avoid relapse from substance abuse.

– Improve occupational skills to earn a living and live independently. 

3- Provide Accessible And Professional Help 

Licensed and experienced mental health professionals provide strengths-based and competent community-based rehabilitation services. Specifically, behavioral health clinicians are certified to perform CBRS by the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association. 

People in the community have easy access to family centers or CBRS facilities. They can talk to a behavioral health clinician and discuss possible options to help improve a member’s mental health outcome. 

Whether a patient has been diagnosed with depression, schizophrenia, or substance abuse, CBRS can provide specific support to improve mental health. People with mental health issues who are eventually admitted to hospitals and medical rehabilitation facilities can continue to get support in CBRS centers.

CBRS specialists provide rehabilitative services to people with developmental disabilities and physical and mental health problems. This includes:

– Physical therapy, such as teaching passive exercises.

– Occupational therapy to improve social and work skills, such as woodworking, cooking, and handcrafting projects.

– Play therapy for children to develop social skills.

– Speech therapy for children with speech problems and related special needs.

– Case management for people needing constant follow-up and monitoring.

– Community education, like raising awareness about the signs and symptoms of depression.

– Psychological counseling performed by licensed psychiatrists or clinicians.

4- Enhance Quality Of Life And Community Engagement  

CBRS focus on enhancing a person’s quality of life through rehabilitation strategies, social inclusion, and equal opportunities. The personalized recovery plan outlines the goals related to recreational skills, social skills, leisure activities, and daily living for the individual to function as a healthy and productive member of society. 

CBRS can also help enhance an individual’s community engagement and ease transitioning back into routine activities. Participants can build their independence while remaining active in the community and working to achieve their individual goals, such as gaining confidence in different social situations.

CBRS specialists can help members in enhancing their quality of life through the following interventions:

– Teach members relevant skills to function adaptively in the home and the community until they become independent. 

– Assist members in handling living arrangements, routine home care duties, and personal finances. 

– Train participants to improve communication and social skills and community functioning.

– Impart cognitive and problem-solving skills to prepare members to face daily struggles and manage symptoms.

– Teach members how to self-administer medication.

– Help clients stay connected to physical and mental health services.

5- Strengthen Member Support Systems

People who are seeking mental health services will sometimes feel alone as they go through the healing process. This could be a problem since it could only worsen depression and even exacerbate suicidal tendencies. Hence, CBRS programs aim to strengthen the support system of people with behavioral health problems and other mental health conditions. 

Support systems are essential in attaining good mental health. Aside from patients, caregivers of people with chronic mental health problems need strong support systems to perform at their best. CBRS specialists can help patients and their caregivers obtain the necessary support to accomplish this goal. 

For instance, CBRS specialists work with parents and guardians to help improve children’s mental health and well-being. They educate them about available treatment plans and services and support them to help children show a positive response to CBRS programs. 

The same is true for adults suffering from mental health problems. Primary caregivers can ask CBRS providers for help when finding care options and treatment plans for their family members with behavioral and mental health issues. CBRS can assist or refer them to appropriate healthcare facilities or agencies to obtain holistic support. 

Conclusion

Community-Based Rehabilitation Services (CBRS) can help provide targeted and individualized mental health interventions to people in the community. Participants acquire age-appropriate skills to compensate for or eliminate functional deficits due to emotional and behavioral issues. If you need professional support for a mental health problem, don’t hesitate to consult a CBRS provider in your area.