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Undiagnosed and untreated mental health conditions remain widespread in the United States. Studies show that nearly half of adults with a history of mental illness never receive the treatment they need. This means a loved one in your family could be silently struggling without proper care. In serious cases, they may even need to be admitted to a psychiatric hospital to receive the right support and treatment. As a family, it’s important to recognize the signs and take proactive steps to help them access the care necessary for improving both their mental health and overall well-being.
Improving mental health through inpatient facility care
One of the ways that people who suffer from mental health issues can improve their situation is to go to a mental health facility for therapy and other treatment. Even though these facilities are prevalent in our country, they can at first seem intimidating as far as how to line up treatment and then be able to take advantage of it. The idea of receiving inpatient mental health care is almost overwhelming in terms of submitting yourself to another person’s process and timeline. So much of your autonomy depends upon being able to make decisions for yourself and what is best for you. When you receive mental health care from an inpatient provider you are automatically no longer on your schedule.
Rather, you’ll need to submit yourself to a treatment plan that you may not even agree with completely. In some cases, the type of treatment that you receive can be difficult to adhere to, given your loved one’s challenges with authority figures, stress management, and coping skills. However, if you can be in your loved one’s corner, it is easier to help him or her understand that these steps are being taken to help and make her live a better life. It can be difficult for your loved one to understand this at first, but the benefit to their understanding of this could be the difference between him or her leading a life of aimlessness and one of purpose.
Requirements for inpatient psychiatric care admission
Unless an emergency room transfers your loved one, most mental health hospitals require a referral from a mental health provider such as a counselor, therapist, or psychiatrist. If your loved one does not have a provider, admission for inpatient psychiatric care becomes more difficult. A social worker assigned to your loved one’s case at a local clinic can also provide a referral that helps secure inpatient care.
Each facility sets its own requirements for admittance. Most facilities require a history of self-harm or violence in your loved one’s life. Prior suicide attempts or repeated suicidal thoughts expressed to you or others often meet this requirement. If you become aware that your loved one wants to harm themselves or others, you should report that to a local mental health counselor or doctor. Taking this step shows responsibility and concern for safety.
Diagnosis requirements for inpatient mental health treatment
A serious mental illness diagnosis must also exist before inpatient treatment can proceed. A qualified professional such as a doctor, therapist, or counselor must make the diagnosis. Neither you nor another family member can provide a self-diagnosis in place of a medical one. A proper diagnosis gives your loved one the best chance to access medical care designed for individuals with mental health problems. At the very least, a primary care doctor can diagnose a mental health condition and prescribe medication that may prevent a future crisis.
Admission to a mental institution serves as a last resort. Providers will try other methods of treatment before recommending inpatient care. Therapy and coping mechanisms often serve as the first steps toward addressing a mental health crisis. Many people suffer worse mental health crises because they did not receive consistent treatment early enough. Without support, problems can build until the person cannot care for themselves or manage daily life.
How long can you expect your loved one to stay in the mental institution once admitted?
This question comes up often. Many people wonder how long a loved one must stay in a mental institution once admitted for care. Admission to a mental institution represents a serious step in addressing that person’s mental health needs. Caretakers usually admit a person only after he or she has become combative with family members, caretakers, or others. In many cases, a spouse or parent seeks a court order that requires a hospital or institution to keep their loved one in care for the foreseeable future because of the danger they pose to themselves and others.
You can expect your loved one to spend at least a week in the mental institution. This time allows your loved one to clear their system of street drugs or medications taken incorrectly that may have disrupted treatment. Doctors then conduct a full evaluation to determine the person’s true limitations and appropriate diagnoses.
After the evaluation, doctors prescribe the correct regimen of medication, administer treatment, and decide on the next steps. Mental institutions often connect patients with local providers and resources that families may not know about. These connections help your loved one secure post-discharge care that supports ongoing treatment.
What you can do while your loved one is admitted to a mental institution
While your loved one receives inpatient care, you can use this time to ask providers about the condition they are treating. Family members often face challenges in this process because access to information may be limited. Your loved one does not have to disclose details about their condition. You may know little about the care they have received so far, but once treatment begins, you can reach out to providers. Without guardianship, you should expect providers to share only limited information.
On a practical level, you should confirm that the psychiatric facility accepts your health insurance. Contact your insurance company to verify coverage at the facility where your loved one stays. You should also confirm directly with the facility. Some facilities involve additional medical providers in caring for patients, and you should check whether those providers accept your insurance as well.
Are you able to have a loved one admitted to a mental institution?
We are sure that many of you feel like you are in a helpless situation currently. For one, you may have limited knowledge of the mental health problems that your loved one is going through. Again, it is not everyday knowledge to possess as far as how to diagnose issues and then recommend types of treatment for your loved one. Additionally, when your loved one is going through a mental health crisis, there is only so much you can do to keep him or her out of harm’s way and to protect those around you, as well.
Steps you can take to have a loved one admitted for psychiatric care
It is only natural for you to wonder if you can take steps on your own to address the problems your loved one is experiencing. If you worry seriously about your loved one’s health and safety, you can recommend that he or she be committed on a short-term basis in a mental institution. This recommendation becomes even more important if your loved one has already attempted to harm himself or others. Family members, friends, law enforcement, and emergency responders can recommend admission to mental institutions for care, especially if your loved one has attempted suicide.
In some cases, your loved one may volunteer to be admitted for inpatient psychiatric care. When that happens, you can plan with your loved one the type of care he or she will receive. You can visit the website of a local mental institution to find out what your loved one can expect, and you can coordinate a time for admission.
Sharing your experiences with staff to improve your loved one’s care
Once your loved one arrives at the facility and begins to receive care, you should share your experiences with staff. The professionals treat patients with mental health issues, but they lack the personal knowledge you hold as someone who has seen your loved one go through certain events. When you talk with staff, you can provide context and recommendations on how to communicate with your loved one during a crisis. You may provide more help than you expect, and when you discuss issues with the staff, you build rapport that improves communication throughout inpatient care.
What you can watch for when inpatient care may be needed
The answer depends on the specific circumstances of your loved one. A mental institution will likely require your loved one to go through certain situations before admission becomes possible. Addressing these subjects is not easy, but with guidance from you and other family members, you can put yourself in a strong position to help a loved one who needs inpatient care.
When a history of harm signals the need for inpatient psychiatric care
A history of physical harm to themselves or others strongly indicates that your loved one may need help from an inpatient facility. Families have taught for generations that it is wrong to hit another person. Even if we accept that rare situations may justify striking another person, we cannot expect someone with a mental health condition to know the difference between appropriate and inappropriate situations. If your loved one harms others at work or in personal life, this behavior may signal the need for inpatient psychiatric care.
When threats of self-harm indicate the need for inpatient care
When your loved one makes threats or acts on threats of self-harm, that behavior shows a strong need for inpatient psychiatric care. Distinguishing between empty threats and real danger may challenge you, but a close relationship with your loved one can give you better insight. You cannot expect to help your loved one effectively if you only see him or her occasionally, such as when you live far away.
Expressing violent thoughts both in person and online also indicates that your loved one may need inpatient care. Even if you do not spend much time online, your loved one can benefit if you monitor his or her social media activity to see if violence appears. Do not dismiss violent content on social media as harmless, because it may reflect a real risk. Instead, observe your loved one’s tone and demeanor so you can better adjust to his or her needs.
Final thoughts on level ones and sympatric hospitals
It’s natural to feel helpless when a loved one struggles with a mental health issue. Most families don’t have a guidebook or prior experience on how to handle a mental health episode or panic attack, yet these moments often require immediate support. In some cases, the best step for your loved one may be to be admitted to a psychiatric hospital, where trained professionals can provide the care and stability they need. Knowing where to turn and how to act in these difficult times can make a critical difference for both you and your loved one.
In a practical sense, the best place for you to turn is to local resources such as your County Health Department, law enforcement, and the treating providers of your loved one. If you get to a point where the issue of guardianship becomes necessary for your family to consider, then please do not hesitate to contact the Law Office of Bryan Fagan to learn more about the assistance that we may be able to provide you and your family.
Questions about the material contained in today’s blog post? Contact the Law Office of Bryan Fagan
If you have any questions about the material contained in today’s blog post, please do not hesitate to contact the Law Office of Bryan Fagan. Our licensed guardianship attorneys offer free-of-charge consultations six days a week in person, over the phone, and via video. These consultations are a great way for you to learn more about the world of Texas guardianship and estate planning, as well as about how your family circumstances may be impacted by the filing of a guardianship case.
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