Inpatient Mental Health & Residential Treatment: What’s the Difference?
Updated May 2025
Not sure what type of mental health care is the right fit? You’re not alone. Knowing the difference between inpatient and residential care can help families and providers feel more confident when seeking support.
Understanding Inpatient vs Residential Mental Health Treatment
When a young person or adult is struggling with depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, aggression or other challenges, it can affect every part of their life. Sometimes, outpatient therapy and community support aren’t enough. That’s when 24/7 mental health treatment may be the best next step.
Camber Mental Health offers two types of 24/7 care: inpatient mental health treatment (also called acute treatment) and residential mental health treatment (also called Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility or PRTF care). Both provide intensive support in a safe, structured environment—but they’re designed for different needs.
Inpatient Mental Health Treatment
Camber provides inpatient mental health treatment across multiple locations in the Midwest, including Kansas City, Hays, Wichita and Olathe.
Inpatient treatment (also known as acute treatment) is short-term, intensive support for people experiencing a mental health emergency. This could include thoughts of suicide or self-harm, severe anxiety or depression, extreme anger or behaviors that may put someone’s safety at risk.
Camber provides inpatient care for youth at all of our locations, and for youth and adults at our Children’s Mercy + Camber Mental Health campus in Olathe—our only location that serves adults. Most inpatient stays last 4 to 7 days, depending on individual needs.
During an inpatient stay, patients receive:
- A full medical, clinical and nursing assessment
- 24/7 therapeutic support
- Individual, group and expressive therapies
- Medication management and discharge planning
The goal is to help each person stabilize and return home with a follow-up care plan in place.
Residential Mental Health Treatment
Camber provides residential care at our Kansas City and Hays locations.
Residential treatment (also known as PRTF care) is for youth only and supports those who aren’t in immediate crisis but still need more help than outpatient care can provide. It’s often recommended for youth who’ve had repeated hospital stays or are struggling to make progress in community-based settings.
Youth stay an average of 60 to 90 days and receive:
- Daily therapy and therapeutic activities
- Support from a trauma-informed, multidisciplinary team
- On-site accredited school to maintain academic progress
- Skill-building to support emotional regulation and resilience
The goal is to help youth build a foundation for long-term success and safely transition home or to a lower level of care.
Key Differences Between Inpatient and Residential Care
| Feature | Inpatient (Acute) Care | Residential (PRTF) Care |
|---|---|---|
| Who it’s for | Youth and adults in crisis | Youth needing ongoing support |
| Type of care | Short-term stabilization | Longer-term skill-building |
| Average length of stay | 4–7 days | 60–90 days |
| Focus | Safety, symptom stabilization | Emotional regulation, long-term growth |
| Available at Camber | All locations for youth, Olathe for adults | Kansas City and Hays for youth only |
| School services | Not included | Included through an on-site accredited school |
| Therapy provided | Daily individual, group and expressive | Daily therapy, activities and school support |
How to Know What Level of Care is Needed
If someone is in immediate danger or experiencing a crisis, inpatient care is the safest first step. If they’re stable but still struggling day-to-day, residential treatment may be a better fit.
Camber offers a free youth mental health assessment to help families better understand what their child may be going through. In just a few minutes, this tool helps parents:
- Identify common emotional triggers
- Understand the link between behavior and mental health
- Answer 10 quick questions to see if professional support may help
- Access resources designed to support the whole family
Complete the Free Youth Assessment
If you’re unsure where to begin, our team is here to guide you every step of the way.
How to Find Mental Health Treatment at Camber
Whether you’re a parent, guardian or provider, getting started is easier than you might think. Here’s how:
- Find a Camber treatment location near you.
- Call our Admissions Team at 913-890-7468 — available 24/7
- Submit an online referral at cambermentalhealth.org/referrals
- Visit our site to access helpful resources like:
We’ll walk you through every step and help you find the right care for your needs.
About Camber Mental Health
Camber provides inpatient treatment for youth across all locations, adults at our Olathe campus and residential treatment for youth only at our Kansas City and Hays locations. Our team uses neuroscience-informed care to help each person feel safe, supported and ready for what’s next. Learn more about our impact here.
