You can voluntarily admit yourself to a mental hospital, a process formally known as voluntary admission. This choice is made by an individual who recognizes they are experiencing a severe mental health crisis and requires immediate, intensive inpatient care. Voluntary admission signifies that the patient retains the capacity to make decisions about their care and actively consents to the hospitalization and subsequent treatment plan. Seeking this care is a proactive step toward stabilization and recovery.
Defining Voluntary Versus Involuntary Admission
The distinction between voluntary and involuntary admission is based on the patient’s consent and legal decision-making capacity. Voluntary admission occurs when a person willingly seeks and agrees to enter a psychiatric facility for treatment. The individual acknowledges that their severe symptoms, such as psychosis or suicidal ideation, require 24-hour monitoring and care that cannot be provided in an outpatient setting. The patient must provide informed consent, meaning they understand the nature and purpose of the hospitalization.
In contrast, involuntary admission, often called a hold, is initiated by others, such as family members, police, or mental health professionals, without the patient’s immediate consent. This legal process is reserved for individuals who meet specific, state-mandated criteria, typically involving a substantial risk of harm to themselves or others due to a mental illness. These holds, such as a 72-hour evaluation period, are safety measures designed to stabilize an individual in a severe crisis who is unable to consent to treatment. Clinicians must first offer voluntary admission unless the patient lacks capacity or poses an imminent danger.
The Process of Seeking Voluntary Admission
The process of seeking voluntary admission typically begins with the individual or a concerned party making initial contact with a mental health provider or facility. This outreach might be to a general hospital emergency department, a dedicated psychiatric hospital, a community mental health center, or a crisis line. The goal of this first step is to arrange a pre-admission screening or assessment by a licensed mental health professional.
During the assessment, the clinician evaluates the individual’s current symptoms, reviews their history and medications, and determines if inpatient hospitalization is the necessary level of care. For voluntary admission to be approved, the patient must be experiencing severe symptoms that significantly impair daily functioning and require an inpatient setting under a psychiatrist’s supervision. The facility confirms the patient has a mental illness and that hospitalization is likely to improve functioning or prevent further decline.
If the assessment determines that inpatient care is appropriate, the next step involves completing legal and administrative forms, including signing consent forms for voluntary status. This paperwork confirms the patient’s willingness to receive treatment and often includes a disclosure of patient rights and the facility’s discharge procedures. Insurance verification is also necessary, as the facility must confirm coverage for the stay and treatment services. Once all forms are signed, the patient is formally admitted and transitioned into the inpatient environment for stabilization.
Patient Rights and Discharge Procedures
A significant difference for patients in a voluntary status is their right to request discharge at any time. However, requesting to leave does not guarantee immediate release, as a specific procedure is followed to ensure patient safety. The patient must submit a formal, written request to the staff, who then notify the treating physician. As a voluntary patient, the individual also retains basic rights, including the right to be informed of their treatment plan and, in most cases, the right to refuse specific medications or treatments.
Following the written request, the treatment team has a defined period, often 24 to 72 hours, to conduct a clinical review and determine if the patient remains safe for discharge. If the physician determines that the patient no longer requires inpatient treatment, the discharge is authorized, and planning begins immediately. This planning includes setting up post-release services and supports, such as outpatient appointments and housing resources.
If, during the review period, the medical director determines that the patient has become a danger to themselves or others, the facility can initiate a process to convert the voluntary status to an involuntary hold. This requires the hospital to file a petition with a court, asserting that the patient meets the legal criteria for involuntary commitment. The patient is legally held until a court hearing determines the need for continued involuntary treatment.