Considering it but very confused about the process

I've been seriously considering inpatient today. I've been suspended from my job for a week (I know I messed up) and I just don't feel comfortable being alone and having no plans for those days. I just don't know if I'm technically bad enough to be kept there. I have suicidal thoughts on and off if I had to estimate it's 3-4 days a week. This has been going on for about 4 months. But every day is a struggle to get out of bed and be a person. I know how I envision doing it but I know I'm not brave enough to act out that plan. I also have some protective factors like family.

I'm really confused about the process. I'm afraid to call and ask because then they will know I'm suicidal and may call police/ambulance which isn't what I want at all. I don't know how to get that information otherwise. I don't want to go to the general emergency room because I know where the psych hospital is and would rather go straight there. But when I get there do I just say I have suicidal ideation to the receptionist? Do I tell my therapist beforehand? Do I tell my insurance company beforehand? If I have a parent listed as an emergency contact will they be contacted (I definetly don't want that)? I've heard good things about the hospital I just don't know where to start.

This is how it works where I live:

If you want to avoid police/ambulance, go directly to the psych hospital lobby and talk to the receptionist, assuming you can drive safely. Just say, "I need help." Notifying your T before you go is optional. Your belongings may be taken from you, and you could be escorted to a locked intake area where a coordinator will interview you. This may be followed by an interview with an MD. These assessments will determine whether you need to be IP. Even sui ideation or intent is not a guarantee of admission (I've never threatened this so don't know how they gauge severity). You could simply be discharged at this point (and maybe not even charged -- intake assessment is often free)...or you could be admitted. You may ask if it's voluntary or involuntary, but I doubt it matters at this point. If it's determined that you require an IP level of care, you'll probably be "asked" to change into a hospital gown; it's best to cooperate. It's possible that you may be held in intake for hours (or even days) prior to actual admission with no outside contact; this is because they may be stabilizing you medically, obtaining labs, observing you, finding a bed for you, verifying insurance coverage, or any number of things. You may be crazy bored. Depending on your state of mind, you may receive meds.

You should be prepared. Pack a bag with enough clothing for, say, four days, and toiletries. Carry these in with you to the lobby of the psych hospital, because it's possible you won't be allowed to return to your car. Before you leave home, write down telephone numbers you may need; in some facilities, your cellphone will be taken from you and may lose power. You may be denied access to the internet during your admission, so be ready for that, too. If you're able, pay all your bills before you leave and let a neighbor know you might be away. I live alone, so, even in a meltdown, I have to handle the basics; there's no excuse for not paying my mortgage, for instance. Leave on a light so your house doesn't look empty. You can ask the hospital to contact the HR department of your work very discreetly...they know how to do this. You say that you don't want your family contacted, and they won't do it without your knowledge/permission, but...I mean...won't your family wonder what happened, why you can't be reached?

One time I had to be admitted unexpectedly in bipolar crisis and hadn't packed or made arrangements for my dog. One of the ER nurses actually took my keys, had me draw her a map to my house, drove to my house, packed clothes for me, picked up my dog and brought him through the back door of the ER to put in my arms and then took him to her home to babysit him until I was out. I didn't even know this angel of mercy. Can you imagine? I live in a small community but would never have expected this. One day I hope to pay it forward.

Good luck.

Thank you. This was very informative. As a dog lover I love that she did that for you.

In my experience, if you want to be admitted you need to say that you have a plan and are struggling to not carry it out. That would lead to a voluntary admission.

I would go to the psych hospital directly; it may save you some waiting around and answering the same questions over and over.


The procedure here would be like SparkySmart related: you go to a locked area and are interviewed. You would not necessarily be interviewed by a MD, though. You would have to put on scrubs and leave your possessions: you would get the items that they deem "safe" after you had been evaluated by the nursing staff as to your stability and safety. They wouldn't notify anyone without your permission.


Once in, they would probably prescribe meds and you will be expected to take them. Refusing to take the meds as prescribed may result in them keeping you involuntarily.


It can be a relief to be somewhere where you don't have to make decisions and you don't have to fight "those" urges; my experience was that the staff there were kind and really wanted to help.