You can check yourself into a mental health hospital through voluntary admission. This is a proactive decision to seek intensive, structured treatment when mental health symptoms require 24-hour professional care and monitoring. Approximately 55% of psychiatric hospital admissions in the U.S. are voluntary, making this a common pathway for seeking help. Choosing voluntary admission means consenting to inpatient treatment for stabilization and recovery.
The Voluntary Admission Process
The process typically begins by contacting a facility, often through an emergency room or a crisis line. Upon arrival, a medical and mental health professional conducts an initial assessment. This evaluation determines the severity of symptoms and whether you meet criteria for inpatient care, such as severe distress, psychosis, or suicidal ideation unmanageable in an outpatient setting.
The facility must certify that you require inpatient treatment for stabilization. If hospitalization is deemed appropriate, you will complete and sign voluntary consent forms. This paperwork establishes your status as a voluntary patient, meaning you agree to the hospital’s treatment plan and rules. During intake, you will also provide documents like identification, insurance information, and a list of current medications.
Voluntary vs. Involuntary Commitment
The distinction between voluntary and involuntary commitment centers on consent and the presence of immediate risk. Voluntary admission is when an individual freely chooses to enter the facility and signs the necessary paperwork, retaining more control over their treatment decisions. This path is a treatment decision based on a recognized need for intensive support and a safe environment.
In contrast, involuntary commitment occurs when an individual is admitted without consent. This typically happens because a professional believes they pose an immediate danger to themselves or others, or are gravely disabled and unable to meet basic needs. This is a legal process, often initiated by a doctor or law enforcement, involving a short-term emergency hold (e.g., 72 hours) for evaluation and stabilization. The legal criteria for involuntary holds are established by state laws and require evidence of risk.
Patient Rights During a Voluntary Stay
A person admitted voluntarily has specific rights, the most significant of which is the right to request discharge at any time. To initiate this, the patient must submit a formal written request to the facility staff. The legally mandated time frame for the facility to respond varies by jurisdiction, often between 24 and 72 hours.
Once the written request is received, the treatment team conducts a clinical reassessment of stability and risk level. If the team determines the patient is safe to be discharged, they must be released within the specified time limit. If the treating physician concludes that discharge would make the patient unsafe, the hospital can initiate a petition to change the patient’s status to involuntary commitment. This action legally detains the patient and requires a court hearing to determine if continued involuntary hospitalization is appropriate.
Other rights include the right to be informed about the treatment plan and the right to refuse certain treatments, such as psychiatric medication, unless refusal presents an immediate danger or a court order is obtained. Patients are entitled to be informed of their rights upon admission and to have their need for continued inpatient treatment periodically reviewed. These protections ensure autonomy over care for those who seek help.
Alternatives to Hospitalization
Inpatient hospitalization is an intensive level of care that is not always necessary for managing a mental health crisis. Numerous less-restrictive community-based services provide support and treatment while allowing an individual to remain at home. For immediate support, crisis hotlines and mobile crisis teams are available 24/7 to provide assessment and de-escalation in the community. These services help determine the appropriate level of care without requiring a trip to the emergency room.
For structured, ongoing treatment, Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHPs) offer comprehensive care similar to inpatient treatment but without the overnight stay. Patients attend sessions for several hours a day, multiple days a week, and then return home. Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs) offer a lower level of intensity than PHPs, requiring fewer hours per week. Community mental health centers and residential crisis houses also offer services, including therapy, medication management, and supportive housing.