Minnesota’s mental health system includes two distinct community-based residential treatment services: Adult Residential Crisis Stabilization Services (RCS) and Intensive Residential Treatment Services (IRTS). Both of these care levels involve temporarily living onsite with access to 24-hour support.Â
When comparing RCS vs. IRTS programs in Minnesota, the key difference is knowing what each program is designed to do. Understanding these programs can help you or your loved one get the help you need, when you need it.
This article will explore the differences between RCS and IRTS treatment, including:Â
RCS, which stands for residential crisis stabilization, is a service that provides structure and treatment support to an adult after a mental health crisis.[1] RCS focuses on helping someone regain a sense of stability and plan their next step, whether that means returning home or entering another service.Â
RCS involves a crisis assessment that identifies the immediate needs and additional supports a person may require to stabilize and safely return to their home or another living environment. Services can include treatment planning, counseling, and assistance accessing and managing medications.
It’s important to note that RCS isn’t intended to address long-term goals — it’s intended to address immediate needs.[2]
A stay at an RCS facility can last up to 10 days, with mental health staff onsite 24 hours per day.[3] Before someone discharges, the program arranges for referrals to other providers in the community for long-term care and works to construct a crisis response plan in case of another crisis situation.Â
Residential crisis stabilization is intended to help people regain their footing after a crisis, building a bridge toward the next step in the treatment process.
Intensive residential treatment services, or IRTS, is a community-based, medically monitored level of care for adults.[4] It combines intensive mental health treatment with support for building daily living and coping skills. Instead of working to address an immediate crisis, IRTS supports someone through a longer course of treatment for long-term wellness.
Its goals are to help someone develop stability and new coping skills for living independently by working with a team of clinicians who conduct individual and group therapy.Â
This IRTS level of care is designed to support sustained progress, ideally after someone’s symptoms are managed enough to participate.Â
Qualified mental health staff provide around-the-clock support, with clinical services and other treatment interventions delivered according to each person’s individualized treatment plan.[5]Â
Stays usually last up to approximately 90 days to give someone time to develop new skills and make a successful transition back home. Then, they engage with community-based supports like outpatient care.[5]Â
These programs typically have a set number of beds and include assistance to transition back home before discharge.Â
IRTS provides a longer period of residential treatment than RCS, though it also has an endpoint in mind. Like other Minnesota mental health levels of care, residential treatment is organized around a person’s needs at the moment and intended to help them in the ongoing healing process.Â
RCS and IRTS are separate services, but a person may use both. Some facilities are licensed to provide both. When appropriate, this can make transitioning from RCS to IRTS more convenient and help support greater continuity of care.
Staying at a crisis stabilization facility can help resolve an emergency, but 10 days usually isn’t enough to address everything that led to the crisis.Â
IRTS after crisis stabilization can keep someone in a safe environment with 24-hour support, extending over a longer timeline that focuses on building lasting skills after they’ve returned to their baseline.Â
For example, someone might come to RCS immediately following an acute episode of depression or mania. As they improve their daily functioning over the course of several days, they could then transition to IRTS to work on the underlying patterns that led to the crisis circumstances. Being able to do so seamlessly allows patients to gain momentum as they heal.Â
Research on psychiatric discharge has examined how follow-up care relates to readmission, with mixed results. A clear transition plan remains important when someone moves between services.[6]
AMFM is here to help you or your loved one take the next steps towards an improved mental well-being.
Deciding between RCS and IRTS can feel overwhelming, so it’s important to ask yourself a few questions about where you stand and what your most immediate needs are.Â
Some potential signs that residential crisis stabilization would best suit your needs include:Â
On the other hand, an IRTS might be the best fit if you are:Â
For some people, the right fit isn’t always obvious. A mental health professional can help you or your loved one figure out what path best suits your needs by conducting a thorough assessment — one that takes your history, current symptoms, and support system into account.Â
They can recommend an option that matches what you need, making sure you can access the right treatment for your circumstances that also allows for your long-term needs as they evolve and change.
Take a tour of our residential mental health facilities located in Minnesota. Our locations offer peace & comfort within a residential environment where you can relax and focus on yourself.
Deciding between crisis stabilization, residential treatment, and other levels of care can feel challenging. Support is available to help you determine what level of treatment is right for you. If you have experienced a recent crisis and are considering residential treatment, the team at AMFM Mental Health Treatment (A Mission for Michael) can help.
We offer an intimate, focused mental health treatment experience for adults in home-like settings that are carefully maintained to be peaceful, comfortable spaces. Our case managers and clinicians ensure that your treatment plan details every step of the way, from residential treatment through outpatient care and lasting stability, including aftercare.Â
Our residential treatment locations in Minnesota accept insurance and are in-network with many major providers. To check your insurance coverage for mental health care, simply complete our confidential online verification form.
Call us at 866-478-4383 if you would like to start the admissions process or learn more about how we can support your mental well-being. Our compassionate team is available 24/7 to answer your questions and provide guidance with no obligation.
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Here are some frequently asked questions about the differences between RCS and IRTS in Minnesota, along with details on a few particulars unique to each program.
The state has more than 50 licensed programs available offering RCS, IRTS, or both. However, availability will differ depending on your county of residence and the provider in question.[1]Â
Some facilities do offer both services at the same location, which can help to simplify the transition between the two.
Generally, yes, they can. Both of these services are usually able to keep participants connected to family and friends during the treatment or stabilization process.
If someone doesn’t meet their treatment goals within the typical timeframe, the care team will likely explore several different options. This may include requesting additional days or exploring a transition to a different level of care or community-based service.
No. The goal of RCS is to help a person stabilize during or after a mental health crisis. Once the immediate crisis has passed, the next step will be decided by their needs, based on the results of a clinical assessment.
Some people may return home with outpatient or community-based support. Others may benefit from IRTS or another form of mental health care. The RCS team can help to plan the transition before discharge from RCS.
Yes, individuals and family members can contact RCS or IRTS providers directly to inquire about admission. However, admission will ultimately depend on the clinical assessment, program requirements, and whether the service can meet the person’s needs. For RCS, a crisis assessment is required to determine eligibility.
At AMFM, we strive to provide the most up-to-date and accurate medical information based on current best practices, evolving information, and our team’s approach to care. Our aim is that our readers can make informed decisions about their healthcare.
Our reviewers are credentialed medical providers specializing and practicing behavioral healthcare. We follow strict guidelines when fact-checking information and only use credible sources when citing statistics and medical information. Look for the medically reviewed badge on our articles for the most up-to-date and accurate information.
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