People experiencing a mental health crisis often feel they have few options. While those at risk of immediate self-harm should visit the nearest emergency center, people in a mental health crisis with less intense symptoms may feel an ER visit is not warranted. Where should they turn?
At Inland Empire TMS, we are committed to helping those in a mental health crisis as long as the person is not at immediate risk of self-harm. While we are not an emergency center or urgent care, we are available to help patients during business hours.
Free TMS for Mental Health Crisis Patients
As a way of giving back to our community, we offer 10 free TMS sessions to help patients in a mental health crisis. TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) is a proven depression treatment, and we have numerous examples of patients who have benefitted from TMS therapy.
If you or a loved one are experiencing a mental health crisis and would like to take advantage of our free TMS offer, please contact Inland Empire TMS at (951) 228-3743.
TMS as a Mental Health Crisis Treatment
TMS is not typically a front-line depression treatment. However, TMS could play a valuable role in mitigating a mental health crisis. Frankly, cost and coverage are historically the reasons TMS is not used as a front-line treatment.
When we remove those obstacles (as we have done at Inland Empire TMS for patients in a mental health crisis), then patients can benefit from what TMS offers in a mental health crisis situation, such as:
1. Proven Effective in Treating Severe Depression
Scientific research has repeatedly demonstrated TMS is effective in treating major depressive disorder (MDD) and treatment-resistant depression (TRD). The outcomes of patients with MDD and TRD who receive TMS have been profoundly positive. Even patients who found little to no relief from other treatment methods found relief through TMS. This evidence suggests that for a person in crisis due to severe, intractable depression, TMS might offer a beneficial intervention with meaningful results, even if initial symptom relief takes a few sessions.
2. Targeted Approach Treating the Brain Directly
TMS provides an advantage over other depression treatment methods because it directly targets areas of the brain involved in mood regulation and stress responses. For individuals in a mental health crisis, especially those experiencing intense symptoms like severe depression or acute suicidal ideation, this targeted approach may reduce the severity of their symptoms with less interference from side effects that might compound the crisis. By treating the brain directly, TMS effects actual change in the brain structure. This change continues to produce depression relief even after TMS treatment has finished.
3. Durable and Lasting Effects Post-Treatment
A significant concern in crisis intervention is the durability of treatment effects. TMS has been shown to offer longer-lasting results for many patients compared to some conventional treatments. While fast-acting medications may provide immediate relief, they typically require ongoing use, which can lead to dependence and possibly reduced efficacy over time. By contrast, TMS’s effects can extend well beyond the treatment period, offering sustained relief even after sessions have concluded. This durability is crucial in a crisis scenario, where individuals need stability that extends beyond their immediate environment.
4. Non-Addictive Depression Treatment
In mental health crises, there’s a significant risk of patients developing a dependency on fast-acting medications, particularly anxiolytics or opioids, which are sometimes prescribed for immediate relief. TMS provides a non-addictive alternative, delivering therapeutic effects without creating the potential for dependency. This makes it especially beneficial in cases where the individual might have a history of substance use disorders or where dependency risks need to be minimized.
5. A Natural Depression Treatment Alternative
Many individuals in mental health crises have already tried a range of medications and may have developed resistance or tolerance, rendering traditional pharmacological approaches ineffective. Other patients may not want to use medication due to severe side effects or concerns about medication use. TMS has been shown to be particularly effective for those who have not responded well to medications, and in crisis scenarios where medication adjustments may be challenging or too time-consuming, TMS offers a natural alternative for depression relief. For patients who are unwilling or unable to take additional medications during a crisis, TMS offers a viable, medication-free alternative.
6. Bridge to Long-Term Mental Health Management
In a mental health crisis, the goal is to stabilize the patient as quickly as possible. However, achieving true stability requires longer-term strategies that go beyond immediate symptom relief. TMS can serve as an effective bridge between immediate crisis care and longer-term mental health management. The gradual improvement seen with TMS can offer a smoother transition from crisis management to ongoing mental health care.
Depression Help in Riverside County
Inland Empire TMS is the premier destination for help with depression, anxiety, PTSD, or OCD in the Inland Empire area of Riverside County. With clinic locations in Murrieta and Corona, we help patients from Murrieta, Temecula, Corona, and Riverside with serious mental health issues.
Whether you are experiencing an urgent mental health crisis or need ongoing care for non-crisis levels of depression, we can help. Schedule an appointment with a psychiatrist today by calling (951) 228-3743.
