Need inpatient mental health care? Start here.

A plain-language path through 988, emergency care, crisis services, and voluntary psychiatric admission.

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If someone may die or be seriously hurt now Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Tell them clearly that this is a mental health emergency.

1 Safety first 911/ER for immediate danger. 988 for crisis support.

2 Ask for evaluation ER, crisis team, clinician, or hospital intake line.

3 Confirm level of care Inpatient, crisis stabilization, PHP, IOP, or outpatient.

4 Plan next steps Bed search, treatment, discharge plan, follow-up.

Fast path

Choose what is closest to true right now

Immediate physical danger

Someone may die, be seriously hurt, overdose, use a weapon, or cannot be kept safe.

Call 911 Or go to the nearest emergency room.

Suicidal thoughts, panic, psychosis, or emotional crisis

You need support now, but there is not an immediate life-threatening emergency.

Call Text Chat

Trying to get admitted voluntarily

You think inpatient care may be needed and can make calls or go for an evaluation.

See admission paths Ask for a psychiatric evaluation for inpatient level of care.

Start here

Choose the route that matches the situation

The exact process varies by state, hospital, insurance plan, age, and clinical need. These are the most common U.S. pathways.

Immediate danger

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. Say clearly if there is risk of suicide, violence, overdose, psychosis, severe withdrawal, or inability to stay safe.

Crisis, but not immediate danger

Call or text 988, chat online, ask about local mobile crisis options, or contact a county/community crisis line. They may help de-escalate, locate care, or suggest an ER evaluation.

Voluntary admission

Call a psychiatric hospital intake line, ask your therapist/psychiatrist to coordinate, or go to an ER for evaluation. Voluntary means you agree to be treated in the hospital.

Helping someone else

Share concrete observations: threats, attempts, confusion, not sleeping, missed meds, substance use, weapons access, or inability to care for basic needs. State laws control involuntary evaluation.

The admission process in plain language

First step

Assessment

A clinician asks about symptoms, safety, medications, substance use, medical conditions, supports, and recent events. A medical exam or labs may be needed before transfer.

Care decision

Level of care decision

The team decides whether inpatient care is medically necessary or whether crisis stabilization, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient care, or outpatient follow-up is a better fit.

Availability

Bed search and insurance

The hospital may search for an available psychiatric bed and contact insurance for authorization. Availability can affect wait time and location.

Forms and rights

Admission paperwork

You may sign voluntary admission, consent, privacy, financial, and belongings forms. If involuntary evaluation applies, ask what legal standard is being used and how to appeal or request advocacy.

During the stay

Safety and treatment

Staff review belongings, create a safety plan, monitor symptoms, adjust medications when appropriate, and involve therapy groups, individual check-ins, and family meetings when useful.

Before leaving

Discharge planning

Before leaving, ask for prescriptions, crisis contacts, follow-up appointments, a written safety plan, work/school notes if needed, and instructions for returning if symptoms worsen.

What 988 can do

988 is a starting point, not a gate you have to pass through

988 connects people in the U.S. with crisis counselors by phone, text, or chat. It can help you talk through what is happening, make a short safety plan, and identify local next steps. You can still go directly to an ER or call 911 when danger is immediate.

Call 988Best when talking is possible. Text 988Useful when speaking out loud is hard. Chat onlineUse a browser if texting or calling is not right for you. Learn about 988See the official Lifeline site.

Before you go

Information that makes intake easier

Photo ID, insurance card, and emergency contact names Current medications, doses, allergies, pharmacy, and recent medication changes Diagnoses, prior hospitalizations, suicide attempts, self-harm, violence risk, or trauma triggers you want staff to know Alcohol, drug, or withdrawal concerns, including last use and amount Medical conditions, pregnancy status if relevant, mobility needs, and assistive devices Remove or secure weapons, extra medications, sharps, cords, and other safety risks at home Pack simple clothing without drawstrings, basic toiletries, glasses/contacts, and important phone numbers on paper Arrange child, pet, work, school, rent, or bill coverage if time allows

What to say when asking for help

"I do not feel safe and I need a mental health evaluation for possible inpatient care. My main symptoms are ____. I am worried about ____."

"I am concerned this person may not be safe. Here is what changed, when it started, and what I have seen or heard: ____."

Questions to ask staff

Am I being evaluated voluntarily, involuntarily, or under an emergency hold?
What criteria are you using to decide inpatient versus another level of care?
Where is the psychiatric bed, and how long might the wait be?
Can you contact my outpatient clinician, family member, or support person?
What belongings are allowed, and how do I access phone numbers?
Who can explain patient rights, costs, insurance authorization, and discharge planning?

Important limits

This guide is general education, not medical or legal advice. Involuntary evaluation, patient rights, privacy rules for family, and minor consent vary by state. Ask the hospital for its patient rights notice, grievance process, and local advocacy contacts.

Coverage basics

Insurance rules differ. Medicare says Part A covers inpatient mental health care in a general hospital or psychiatric hospital when you are admitted as an inpatient. Private, Medicaid, VA, and uninsured pathways vary by plan and state.

Source anchors

Current places to verify details

Last content review: June 1, 2026.