Mental Health – Behavioral Health Treatment in Richardson for Union Members
Taking care of your mental health can be just as important as taking care of your physical health. Union members looking for behavioral health treatment in Richardson can get access to the best service providers and treatment centers through Union First. We offer employee assistance resources to help union members, public employees, and their families find effective addiction and mental health treatment. Our services begin with a thorough assessment of your medical history, current problems, and personal preferences in treatment facilities and providers. We can also verify your union health insurance to match you with programs and facilities covered by your plan. Members will receive personalized referrals to trusted, accredited behavioral health and wellness centers in Richardson, Texas.
Table of Contents
- What is Behavioral Health
- ADA Coverage for Mental Health Conditions & Behavioral Health
- PTSD
- Substance Abuse
- Alcoholism
- Drug Abuse and Addiction
- Dual Diagnosis
- Clinical Depression
- Prescription Drug Abuse and Addiction
- Mental Health Services Delivered via Telehealth
- Union First Helps Our Clients Keep Their Jobs While Undergoing Behavioral Health Treatment
- Why Choose Union First
What is Behavioral Health?
Behavioral health addresses daily habits, behaviors, and actions that may be impacting an individual’s physical and/or mental health. These can include behaviors and emotions which may be affecting overall well-being, including substance abuse. While behavioral health is often used interchangeably with mental health, mental health is only a part of it. Behavioral health goes way beyond and can even include making lifestyle changes such as setting up an exercise routine and proper eating and drinking habits. Other areas of behavioral health treatment include family and couples counseling, psychiatric care, treatment for eating disorders, and substance abuse treatment. The ultimate goal of behavioral health treatment is to help patients achieve ideal physical and mental health and wellness.
Union First offers a variety of behavioral health services to union members and their families which can encourage them to reach out for help more quickly. Early interventions can reduce the risk of developing more serious conditions such as mental health disorders and substance use disorders.
ADA Coverage for Mental Health Conditions & Behavioral Health
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a law that was created to prevent workplace discrimination against those with mental health conditions, including substance use disorders. The ADA requires employers to provide the right job accommodations for any disability but more importantly, it prohibits employees from firing, demoting, or withholding promotions to employees solely based on their mental health condition or because they are receiving behavioral health treatment. The ADA also provides employees with the right to privacy from their employer and are allowed to withhold information about their disability from their employer. Some of the conditions that are covered by the ADA include:
- Anxiety disorders
- Major depression
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Attention hyperactivity deficit disorder (ADHD)
- Schizophrenia
- Substance abuse and addiction
PTSD
Often, individuals who experience or witness a traumatic event may develop a psychiatric disorder referred to as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). While it is usually associated with combat veterans, an event does not need to be as severe as a war to cause PTSD. Individuals can develop post-traumatic stress disorder from any type of traumatic event no matter how big or small. Examples of traumatic events include car accidents, sexual assault, domestic abuse, serious health problems like being admitted to intensive care, weather events, torture, or the death of someone close.
- Symptoms of PTSD include:
- Insomnia
- Dissociation, which can include disconnecting from yourself or other people
- Ongoing fear, anger, guilt, or shame
- Intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, or distressing dreams
- Irritability and angry outbursts
- Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
- Trouble concentrating
- Feeling numb or unable to feel emotions
Behavioral health treatment for PTSD may include therapies like eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), cognitive behavioral therapy, medication-assisted treatment, family therapy, and peer support groups.
Substance Abuse
Substance abuse is the repeated excessive or harmful use of drugs and alcohol. Often, individuals use substance abuse as a way to self-medicate mental health issues, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Engaging infrequent substance abuse can lead to a person developing tolerance and dependency on the substance. This can eventually lead to addiction and substance use disorders. Behavioral health treatment for substance abuse and addiction involves comprehensive treatment programs from drug and alcohol recovery centers. Union First can match you with top-rated addiction treatment centers in Richardson which may include dual diagnosis treatment to address co-occurring disorders simultaneously.
Alcoholism
Alcoholism is an addiction to drinking alcohol, which is also referred to as alcohol use disorder. Alcoholism can range from mild to moderate to severe with each category including various symptoms. If left untreated, any type of alcohol abuse can spiral out of control. Behavioral health treatments can help those struggling with alcohol abuse gain back control over drinking. Alcohol recovery programs in Richardson will address underlying issues while providing tools and skills to successfully manage substance use disorders for a lifetime. Alcoholism may not always be so obvious, but signs you may have a problem with drinking include:
- Inability to cut down or stop drinking even when wanting to
- Developing a tolerance to alcohol
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms and cravings when not drinking
- Spending a lot of time getting, drinking, and recovering from alcohol use
Drug Addiction
Just as alcohol dependence can lead to addiction, drug abuse can also lead to substance use disorders. Illicit and prescription drugs such as cocaine, heroin, prescription opioids, and benzodiazepines have a high abuse potential which can turn into an addiction. Drug addiction can lead to several negative effects in a person’s life including impacts on their social, health, and economic life. Early intervention provides the best chance of long-term recovery and Union First can help connect you with recovery centers in Richardson, Texas that provide personalized treatment plans to address the root cause of addiction.
Dual Diagnosis
Mental health disorders are often seen alongside addiction and substance use disorders. Often, individuals with mental illness issues will use substance abuse as a way to cope with negative emotions and painful memories. Unfortunately, substance abuse may lead to worsening symptoms and drug and alcohol dependence. Substance abuse and addiction can also exacerbate symptoms and those predisposed to mental illness. Dual diagnosis treatment aims to treat comorbid conditions in substance abuse patients. Treating co-occurring disorders together provides patients with the best chance of long-term recovery.
Clinical Depression
While everyone can feel down once in a while, prolonged episodes of depression are referred to as clinical depression and may require behavioral health treatment to successfully recover. Patients may be treated with a combination of psychotherapy and medication-assisted treatment. Clinical depression is a severe form of depression with symptoms that include:
- Feelings of hopelessness, emptiness, and sadness
- Feelings of worthlessness
- Anxiety
- Irritability, frustration, or angry outbursts,
- Sleep disturbances can include either sleeping too much or insomnia
- Changes in appetite or eating habits
- Restlessness
- Slowed thinking, speaking, and body movements
Prescription Drug Addiction
Several types of prescription medications have a high abuse potential which can lead to abuse and addiction. While some medications only cause physical dependence marked by withdrawal symptoms when attempting to stop, others may develop full-blown substance use disorders that require comprehensive treatment plans to overcome. Union First Can help union members find specialized addiction treatment programs in Richardson, Texas. Treatment centers will create personalized treatment plans and various levels of care to address all addiction severity.
Mental Health Services Delivered via Telehealth – Online Behavioral Health Services
Union members have access to telehealth mental health services through Union First. Our members have access to a private network of 40 telehealth counselors. Our team members can quickly get union members a telehealth appointment with a counselor who meets their needs and takes their insurance within 24 to 48 hours of calling us. These services are an excellent choice for those who are in critical situations while they are seen by in-person healthcare providers or as a way to help those who are struggling with their mental health and would like to prevent it from getting worse.
Union First Helps Our Clients Keep Their Jobs While Undergoing Behavioral Health Treatment
Union members have access to our job protection services. Our experts at Union First know how to use federal and state laws, like the ADA to protect union workers’ jobs, salaries, and benefits. We can guide you on the proper steps and paperwork to ensure your job is protected when you seek out behavioral health treatment. Members can also take plenty of time off of work and have peace of mind that their job is waiting for them once they have completed their program. We can help advise you if you feel your rights have been violated and your call with us is always 100% confidential.
Why Choose Union First
Using our employee assistance resources at Union First will provide you with a team of experts who have your back. Our personalized referrals can eliminate hours of researching and calling various treatment facilities on your own. Expert guidance will help you make the right choice for your health and future as well as find a program that works for you. Our services can help union workers and their families in times of crisis. Union First’s helpline is available 24/7 at (855) 215-2023, so please do not hesitate to call and let us help you get the treatment you need to live a happy, fulfilling life.
