Definition - What does Assertive Community Treatment mean?
Assertive community treatment (ACT) is a type of rehabilitative mental health care that focuses on providing the patient with team-based treatment. Assertive community treatment is usually reserved for patients with severe mental health conditions that do not respond to more traditional treatments. Patients in an ACT setting receive full-time care from healthcare professionals from different fields.
During this intensive rehabilitative process, the patient may receive services that include vocational training, psychological counseling, and medical treatment. ACT services are distinguishable from other intensive mental health treatments because they are delivered to the patient in his or her community, rather than in a clinic or other isolated setting.
SureHire explains Assertive Community Treatment
Assertive community treatment (ACT) is an evidence-based mode of treatment designed to help patients improve their quality of life. Through sustained and intensive attention, these patients ideally can develop the skills to live independently and form relationships. Ideally, those receiving ACT can avoid mental health crisis that require hospitalization. ACT programs also seek to reduce the rates of substance abuse, homelessness, and incarceration of at risk individuals.
ACT's client-focused approach has been found to improve patient outcomes, reducing emergency room visits and psychiatric admissions for those who receive the treatment. Additionally, these programs are often less expensive than other forms of treatment, despite requiring higher staffing levels.
