Systems and Settings for Treatment

There are two types of mental health and substance abuse systems: public and private.

Public systems are typically funded and/or operated by county, state, or Federal agencies, and provide services to persons without regard to financial resources. These programs usually have a “sliding scale” for payment.

Private systems are non-governmental organizations or individuals that provide mental health and/or substance abuse services and programs on a non-profit or for-profit basis. These systems have established charges which are paid by the patient’s family and/or a health insurance plan.

Mental health and substance abuse services are available in a variety of settings, which may be within a public or private system:

¨    Outpatient Office

¨    Psychiatric Hospital

¨    General Hospital with a Psychiatric Unit

¨    Outpatient Clinic

¨    Residential Treatment Facility

¨    Group Home

¨    Day Treatment/Partial Hospitalization

¨    Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Program

¨    School, Preschool or Day Care Programs

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