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.
Call 911
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Mental Health Hospitalization Guide
Emergency help first, then clear steps for loved ones and supporters before, during, and after inpatient care.
If you or someone else feels unsafe, overwhelmed, or in distress
The 988 Lifeline is for suicide, mental health, or substance use crisis support. A trained counselor can help you talk through what is happening and find the safest next step.
Guided path
Choose what you need next
Emergency resources stay above. Use one path for the rest of the guide.
What fits right now?
Choose one path.
Immediate danger
Get emergency help now
If someone may die, be seriously hurt, or cannot stay safe right now, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
What to say
"This is a mental health emergency. Someone may be seriously hurt or cannot stay safe. We need emergency help now."
Crisis support
Talk to someone now
If someone feels unsafe, overwhelmed, or in distress, contact the 988 Lifeline. A counselor can help find the safest next step.
What to say
"I feel unsafe, overwhelmed, or in distress. I need help figuring out the safest next step."
Hospital care timeline
Follow the full process
Use these in order: ER or intake, what to bring, insurance, discharge, aftercare, then staff questions.
Showing step 1 of 6: start with ER and intake.
Helping someone
Start with safety, then logistics
Use direct words with staff. Write down what changed, what is unsafe, and what support is needed after discharge.
Caregiver script
"I am here with my loved one. They are in a mental health crisis and cannot keep themselves safe right now. They need an emergency evaluation."
Do what you can safely
- Stay nearby if it is safe for you.
- Secure home safety risks: weapons, medications, sharp objects.
- Write down threats, attempts, confusion, missed meds, substance use, or basic needs they cannot meet.
- Call emergency services if danger may be immediate.
What happens from ER to discharge
The ER or intake desk starts an evaluation. Hospital admission is one possible result. Details vary by state, hospital, age, insurance, and clinical need.
Assessment
A doctor, nurse, or social worker asks what is happening and checks basic physical safety, like blood pressure, injuries, substance use, or medical needs.
Care decision
The team decides what level of support fits: inpatient care, crisis stabilization, PHP, IOP, outpatient therapy, or another plan.
Bed search
If inpatient care is needed, staff look for an open psychiatric bed. You may wait in the ER or intake area until a safe room is ready.
A temporary hold means staff need time to evaluate safety before you leave. It is not automatic admission.
Paperwork and belongings
Staff explain rights, consent, insurance basics, and unit rules. They may store items that are not allowed on the unit, like chargers, keys, cords, or belts.
If you came voluntarily but it is not safe to leave yet, staff may change your status temporarily while completing the evaluation.
The stay
Most units have a daily routine: psychiatrist visits, medication discussions, groups, meals, rest, and safety checks.
Discharge planning
Before leaving, ask for prescriptions, follow-up appointments, transportation, crisis instructions, and warning signs.
Aftercare handoff
The plan should continue at home: medication access, appointments, safer surroundings, and clear steps if symptoms return.
What supporters can gather
Bring what you can. Do not delay emergency care to collect every item.
Insurance and cost questions
Insurance can affect where you go, how a bed search works, and what bills arrive later. It should not be the first problem to solve if someone may be unsafe.
If it may be an emergency
Tell staff what is happening and ask for a safety evaluation first. Do not leave or delay emergency care to call insurance if someone may die, be seriously hurt, or cannot stay safe.
Hospitals with emergency departments generally must provide a medical screening exam and stabilizing treatment for an emergency medical condition regardless of ability to pay.
If you have insurance
When it is safe, call the number on your card and ask for the behavioral health or mental health line. Some plans use a separate company for mental health benefits.
- Is this ER, hospital, or psychiatric unit in network?
- Does inpatient mental health care need authorization after the emergency evaluation?
- Which nearby hospitals or crisis programs are in network?
- What deductible, copay, or coinsurance might apply?
If uninsured or underinsured
Ask the hospital for a financial counselor, Medicaid screening, charity care or financial assistance application, and any county or community mental health options.
If a lower level of care is recommended, ask whether there are sliding-scale clinics, crisis stabilization programs, PHP, IOP, or community mental health centers that fit your situation.
If a bill or denial arrives later
Ask for an itemized bill and your insurance Explanation of Benefits. If something looks wrong, ask the hospital billing office and your plan how to appeal or correct it.
Many insured people have federal protections from surprise out-of-network bills for emergency services, though details depend on coverage type and situation.
Words to use
"I am here because this may be a mental health emergency. Please evaluate safety first. After we are safe, who can help me understand insurance authorization, financial assistance, or in-network options?"
Before leaving the hospital
Discharge is part of treatment. Ask these before the person leaves.
Ride home
Confirm who is picking the person up, when, and where staff want you to meet.
Medications
Ask where prescriptions were sent, when to take the next dose, and what side effects need a call.
Follow-up care
Get appointment dates, provider names, phone numbers, and the next level of care: therapy, psychiatry, PHP, or IOP.
Aftercare starts the day they leave
The first days home can be fragile. Keep the plan visible and help with logistics.
First day home
Pick up medications, confirm appointments, reduce conflict, and write crisis numbers where they are easy to find.
First week
Help with transportation, sleep, meals, medication routines, and side-effect notes for the next provider.
Home support
Ask what kind of help feels useful. Remove or lock obvious safety risks when that is part of the plan.
Questions to ask staff
Use the phase you are in. Ask only what matters right now.
While waiting
- "What is the next step?"
- "Who will evaluate safety?"
- "What is the estimated wait for a bed or next placement?"
- "Can I use my phone, or is there a unit phone for updates?"
Before the unit
- "What personal items are allowed?"
- "How are keys, wallet, phone, and medications stored?"
- "Who is the main doctor or social worker?"
- "What number should family use for updates?"
During the stay
- "What are these medications for?"
- "What does the daily schedule look like?"
- "What needs to happen before I can go home?"
- "What should I ask my support person to bring or write down?"
Before leaving
- "What follow-up appointments are scheduled?"
- "Where are prescriptions being sent?"
- "Do I have my keys, ID, phone, wallet, and clothes?"
- "What should I do if symptoms get worse?"