How to Get a Depressed Person Into a Psychiatric Hospital

Depression is challenging for the person going through it as well as their loved ones. Hospitalization is necessary when the depressed person is resistant to treatment or the condition is too severe for outpatient treatment. People who are dealing with depression can benefit from inpatient treatment. However, there are certain steps to take when getting a depressed person into a psychiatric hospital.

• Talk with the patient and the patient’s physician. Many people dealing with depression are working with a group of people to improve their condition. The group consists of counselors, physicians and psychiatrists. If you have any concerns about the person condition, then you want to talk to the group of professionals. You want to also talk to the person in question and ask her or him about being admitted into the hospital.


• Get the person to agree to volunteer admission. If a person goes into a psychiatric hospital voluntarily, then the hospital has to release the person within seven days unless they are a threat to others or themselves. The person can still petition the courts if wanting to leave against medical advice. A legal hearing will be held to determine if the person is a risk to society or self.


• Ask the doctor to grant an involuntary hospital stay. A parent can have a child less than 16 years old admitted to the hospital against his or her will. Spouses can also have their wife or husband admitted as well. The doctor will have to agree that inpatient treatment is necessary in order to get the person admitted.


• Call 911 for emergency help. If the person dealing with depression is acting erratic and posing a threat, then you can call 911. The police and ambulance will come out to the resident and escort the person to a mental institution.