Quick Links: Troubled Teens
A teen experiencing a psychiatric emergency or exhibiting out of control behavior requires immediate intervention to ensure their safety, and sometimes the safety of others.
When is Hospitalization Needed?
The criteria for psychiatric hospitalization is generally defined as ‘danger to self or others' such as a teen threatening suicide or going after someone else with a weapon. Bizarre behavior that comes on suddenly such as hallucinations, manic episodes or uncontrollable rage may also require hospitalization to stabilize the teen and determine the factors leading up to the crisis.
In most states if a teen meets the criteria they can be held in a psychiatric hospital, against their will if necessary, usually for a maximum of 72 hours.
How Do I Get My Teen Hospitalized in an Emergency?
Psychiatric hospitals provide emergency assessments 24 hours a day. It is best to call ahead and let them know you're coming but if the situation dictates going to the hospital immediately, then do so. Once there you may have to wait but staff can assist in keeping your teen safe.
In some communities if you're unable to get your teen to the hospital, a mobile evaluation unit can be dispatched. Call the hospital and describe what is going on with your teen. In the most dire of emergencies, call the police and they will provide transportation to the hospital if needed.
What happens next is based on decisions made by the intake staff upon completion of the emergency evaluation. Your teen will either be hospitalized immediately or assistance provided in accessing other options that can provide longer-term treatment.
Other considerations
- If your teen is admitted to the hospital, all financial arrangements should be discussed clearly with you. Hospitals are expensive but most will work with you to make sure your teen gets the help needed.
- There are two types of psychiatric hospitals, private and public. In most cases the public ones are accessed through community mental health services. In an emergency, go to the one closest to you. If it's necessary to transfer your teen to another hospital due to insurance or other payment reasons they can arrange it, by ambulance if necessary.
- The primary purpose of psychiatric hospitals is to stabilize a crisis situation. Therefore, the process moves quickly to transition the teen to a lower level of care in order to deal more in-depth with the issues that precipitated the crisis.
Quick Links: Troubled Teens