A comprehensive and individualized approach to treating mental disorders is essential for successful management or overcoming psychological issues. However, caring for your mental health and well-being does not end with you leaving We Level Up Washington Center. Continuous work is what will ensure you feel good and live your best life. Having support while doing that can make all the difference.

This is why we have created the alumni support program, and on this page, we will share how you can benefit from it. Our alumni program is part of our aftercare services, and its goal is for you to feel connected and supported no matter what. Keep reading to learn more details about it.

Importance of Aftercare and Alumni Support Programs

Taking care of your mental health is equally important as taking care of your physical health and should also be done continuously. There are many aspects of one´s lifestyle that aid mental health (such as a healthy diet, regular exercise, and mindful meditation). But for someone who struggles with a mental health disorder or who has gone through other mental health challenges, this is often not enough. Seeking professional help from Washington State Behavioral Health Center is the first step to getting better, and we are ensuring you feel supported in each next step with our alumni support program. 

You can count on our professional staff to still look out for you. It all starts with the creation of an aftercare plan that can include various approaches to making you feel connected, supported, and cared for. By offering community-based and volunteer opportunities, the alumni program helps you find purpose and create meaningful connections. This, as it turns out, is very helpful in relapse prevention.

Services and Support Provided by the Alumni Team

As mentioned above, the alumni program is a type of support you are entitled to after finishing your treatment at We Level Up WA. Close to the end of your time in our facilities, we start working on developing an aftercare program to provide long-term support. In this transition period, we again craft programs based on your new needs and preferences, keeping in mind the environment you are going back to. 

Your aftercare and alumni programs may include:

• Regular check-ins and follow-up calls: we do this to be able to react timely to any struggles you might be experiencing. 
• Support groups and meetings: to keep you connected with those in similar situations, offer real-life support, and inspire.  
• Access to counseling and therapy sessions: Our psychotherapists and counselors are available when you feel overwhelmed and need someone to talk to. 
• Educational workshops and seminars: we organize them to ensure your development and growth. 

Keep in mind that these services only make sense if you, to an extent, have worked through your mental health issues and are ready to go back to your social environment.

Benefits of Community-Based Activities and Volunteer Opportunities

It is well known that doing volunteer work offers many benefits for society and fosters one´s self-development. This is how many people connect with others, build relationships, develop self-efficacy and self-esteem, and some even find a new purpose in life. The same can be said for people in recovery, and there is research to back it up.

A study shows that volunteering is related to six aspects of personal well-being: happiness, life satisfaction, self-esteem, a sense of control over life, physical health, and depression. Another later study showed that people who increased their volunteering reported fewer depressive symptoms. Knowing how beneficial volunteering is, we made sure to incorporate it into our alumni support program.

Types of Disorders Treated at We Level Up Washington

The alumni program is only a part of our Washington State mental health services. To set a solid base for lifelong recovery and to ensure you get all the benefits of the alumni support program, we first create an individualized plan that can address your mental health problems. We are successfully treating a variety of mental health issues and disorders. Here are a few:

• Depression. Depression is a state of overwhelming sadness and loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities. It has a variety of physical and psychological symptoms. It also comes in many forms, such as major depressive disorder, post-partum depression, a depressive episode of bipolar disorder, and so on.  
• Anxiety. Anxiety is a sense of worry and the lingering fear that is a normal occurrence in anybody´s life. However, when it´s overwhelming and impairs your daily functioning, you might be dealing with anxiety disorder and require treatment.  Medications, psychotherapy, or both can help you overcome anxiety and learn to live with it. 
• Bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is characterized by significant mood swings and shifts of emotional highs (so-called manic episodes) and emotional lows (known as depressive episodes). It impacts not only mood but also energy levels, the ability to concentrate, and, consequentially, the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks.
• Schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is considered a serious mental disorder as it heavily impacts how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. People with schizophrenia seem as if they have lost touch with reality, and that affects their lives and the lives of their loved ones. It is a mental state that requires professional help.

We also recognize that you might be struggling with co-occurring substance use disorder that can often go hand-in-hand with mental disorders. As these conditions happen simultaneously and impact each other, we address them with dual diagnosis treatment Washington State to ensure success.

Additionally, we tailor each approach and treatment to respond to the needs, preferences, and circumstances of our clients. We do this for both our mental health treatments and alumni program so you can reap maximum benefits from them. 

Contact Information and Related Resources

There are several ways to contact us and use our alumni support program. We are available 24/7 via phone. Call (509) 348-4077 or leave a message in the online form so we can call you. All our calls and messages are strictly confidential, and there is never any obligation.

Alumni Support Is One Call Away

Seeking help is a sign of inner strength. Even when you feel you can deal with life challenges on your own, it is easier to address them with somebody in your corner. And if you feel alone or overwhelmed, support becomes that much more important.

When things become difficult, rely on the professionals at We Level Up Washington. Our treatment and alumni programs provide support whenever you need it.