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Supporting Someone During Inpatient Mental Health Treatment

Table of Contents


Overview

Inpatient mental health treatment means that a person stays overnight in a hospital to get treatment for a mental illness. How long they stay depends on their symptoms. But it's usually for several days or longer.

It's common for someone to go to a mental health hospital for this treatment. Or they could get treatment at a general hospital that has a separate mental health department.

A hospital stay may be voluntary. This means that the person agrees to go to the hospital. Or it may be involuntary. In that case, the person doesn't agree to go.

If a person is a threat to themself or others, an involuntary stay may be needed. And an emergency hold may be placed on the person. This means that the person must stay at the hospital for a certain amount of time, usually 72 hours.

Why is inpatient mental health treatment done?

Inpatient treatment may be done if a person tries to harm themself or others. A person also may go if they have mental illness symptoms, such as seeing or hearing things that aren't there. Or they may go if they are very depressed. Sometimes treatment is done to help people start or adjust medicines.

How is it done?

Treatment can look different in each hospital. But in general, here's what you can expect if someone has inpatient care. It can include:

How can you give support?

If you're caring for someone who's in treatment, whether it's your child, parent, friend, or partner, here are some ways you can offer them support.


Credits for Supporting Someone During Inpatient Mental Health Treatment

Current as of: June 24, 2023

Author: Healthwise Staff (https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en)
Clinical Review Board (https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en)
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