Urgent Mental Health Evaluation from an Emergency Psychiatrist

Most people know when to seek emergency medical care for themselves or a loved one, but it may be less clear when to call an emergency psychiatrist. Psychiatric emergencies can be dangerous situations, so it is important to understand how to recognize them and what to do when an emergency happens.

What is a psychiatric emergency?

Psychiatric emergencies may occur when a person becomes unable to care for themselves, threatens or attempts self-harm, or experiences worsening symptoms of a preexisting mental health condition.

A person may need to see an emergency psychiatrist when that person has shown signs that there is a risk of self-harm:

• Expressed a desire to kill themself
• Taken steps to kill themself, such as purchasing a gun
• Given away possessions
• Searched for information on suicide
• Written a suicide note
• Hurt or cut themselves

You may also be facing a psychiatric emergency if the person has risk factors for harming others, such as saying they plan to kill a person or group of people, harming animals, destroying property, starting fires, becoming more violent, or threatening others with a weapon.

Signs a psychiatric emergency could be imminent

There are often signs a person needs to see an emergency psychiatrist before an emergency happens. The person may begin to act oddly or not make sense. Your loved one may see or hear things that are not there. The person may not be in touch with reality or may be paranoid.

What should you do in a psychiatric emergency?

If the person is in immediate danger or is putting other people in danger, call 911 or take the person to the nearest emergency room. If you are unsure whether you can safely transport the person, call for an ambulance.

Bring anything that may help the emergency psychiatrist diagnose the problem to the emergency room. For example, if the person has written a suicide note or a concerning social media post, bring it with you. If you believe the person has taken any medications, bring the medication bottles along with any medications the person has been prescribed to take. Bring contact information for the person's doctor and mental health providers.

Examples of non-emergency situations

Some situations may be frightening but not emergencies. In these cases, you can wait to contact a doctor or mental health provider during normal business hours. Examples of non-emergency situations include routine medication changes or non-urgent refills, chronic problems that are not life-threatening or dangerous to others, and non-emergent full diagnostic evaluations.