Help what is it like presenting to the ER or A&E for suicidal thoughts?

[bleedxi]

for those of you who went to the hospital for suicidal thoughts, what happened? how long were you there? how do you get triaged?

sometime i think i should go, but would they only 'take me seriously' if i've actively harmed myself? if i just said that i have a plan and the means to carry it out (but had NOT attempted), what would they do? if i am not in distress (crying, aggressive, actively hurting myself etc), should i even go?

i feel like the only way i could get help is if i do something first.

 

[madwoman]

I want to comment so others can see this and comment. I only went to the hospital after a failed attempt a pill overdose. But another time I was having a serious mental breakdown so I was treated at the hospital and then went to a psych ward. Both times, everyone treated me with care and kindness and were just trying to help. The second time I was in a psych ward, someone checked themselves in bc they had almost attempted and scared themselves. I've heard of another story of someone calling emergency bc they were about to attempt. If you are scared and want help, a plan to commit is a serious thing so I don't see anything wrong with you trying to get help so you are safe. Medical professionals can be really comforting because they handle stuff like this all the time. Whatever you need to do to keep safe, you should. Call someone or the emergency line or walk into the hospital, whatever seems feasible. Hold onto that hope bc it will be okay. Sending love your way

 

[certainty]

ime, i was taken to an empty room w/ just a bed and changed into a hospital gown (to ensure no further danger). everyone attending was incredibly kind, and gave me extra blankets since i was freezing. i was seen by a doctor and they did some basic vitals (iirc a blood draw + urine test to check for substances, and prob took my blood pressure for good measure). after, it took quite a while but i was eventually seen by a social worker. after answering some questions, i was referred to an inpatient place. ultimately, i was allowed to go home. i highly encourage anyone who has even a shred of hope to reach out for help, people often care much more than you realize.

they handle stuff like this all the time

also v true! it's their job and most take great pride in it :) hope you get the care you deserve bleedxi <3

 

[batmanreal]

i think it'll vary based on many different factors. i went in willingly after a failed attempt, and i was displaying some physical symptoms, so idk if this will be helpful to you.
btw, i live in the us. idk how the process differs in other countries.
they just took my vitals, asked the typical questions (why i did it, if i had taken any drugs, if i was feeling any symptoms, possible health conditions, medication, etc.), treated some cuts i had, did a ton of drug tests (blood and urine), gave me meds for sleep and pain, and had a security guard watching me for the entire night (awkward as fuck). the morning after, they got an ambulance to drive me to a mental hospital where i was put on a mandatory 3-day hold.
if you went in and told them you have serious thoughts and plans of harming yourself, you'd likely have a similar experience. i'm pretty sure that any mention of a plan to harm yourself has to be treated with the same amount of concern as a full attempt, so the protocol won't really differ.
again, i don't know how exactly the experience will really differ if you don't actually attempt/aren't displaying clear signs of distress, but i think you should still visit the ER if you think that it could be helpful for you. if getting help is something you desire, then you should do what you can to achieve that. i'm wishing you the best, i hope you receive the care you need and that you find your peace.

 

[LastNite]

Not thoughts but an attempt. It was embarrassing and annoying to be there definitely wouldve wished to have just not called 911.

 

[treeckofan]

for those of you who went to the hospital for suicidal thoughts, what happened? how long were you there? how do you get triaged?

sometime i think i should go, but would they only 'take me seriously' if i've actively harmed myself? if i just said that i have a plan and the means to carry it out (but had NOT attempted), what would they do? if i am not in distress (crying, aggressive, actively hurting myself etc), should i even go?

i feel like the only way i could get help is if i do something first.

At least in the US, you don't need to do something first to get help at a hospital. They'll take you seriously whether or not you've actively harmed yourself. If you have a plan and the means to carry it out, they'll assess you for level of intent and ability/willingness to safety plan and how much of a danger you are to yourself.

The first time I went to the psychiatric hospital for a walk up assessment, I hadn't hurt myself but had a plan, intent, and didn't want to safety plan. It was like an interview and I filled out forms before. They put me on a three day hold but didn't have beds available. So they sent me to the psych ward of a hospital that night via ambulance. I answered more questions at that hospital and also got testing done. In the morning, beds were available at the psych hospital, so I went back via ambulance. Then I was there for 5 days.

The second time I went to a psych hospital (this time a different one), I called first to see if they had beds available. It was a similar process with paperwork and then an assessment interview. This time I had attempted suicide, told my therapist about it in an appointment that day, and she said I needed to go. I went willingly again. I got a three day hold and got admitted there since there were beds available.

You don't need to be crying/aggressive/actively hurting yourself to go. But if you are aggressive or have thoughts of harming others, they put you in a sort of higher level unit. Versus a more peaceful unit with more freedoms, generally speaking.

 

[Dejected 55]

This is an opportune thread for me... I'm so fucked right now. I tried my method and failed miserably tonight and feel worse than I did before I tried. Now I'm thinking I might have to consider going somewhere, or someone I know might call someone anyway. I don't know what the fuck to do. I want to die, but my best plan went up in literal smoke tonight. I definitely want to try something, I just no longer have a plan.

 

[NoHorizon]

UK here. I called a GP to ask to be signed off work as I was at the stage where I was going to kill myself rather than work the next day. After a conversation he decided he didn't want to leave me alone due to how I was so sent an ambulance who dropped me in to A&E. Probably waited an hour or two in a mini ward with a couple of other people, a guard outside the door and another one (friendly) inside with us. Then spoke to two mental health workers who put fast tracked for support. While I don't think it was hugely helpful, it wasn't a bad experience so if you're considering it I'd recommend it.

 

[58Alice85]

ER will do nothing, they will just refer you to psychiatry.
ER is only for life-threatening stuff, or stupid s*** like cuts, at least in my country
If they really think you are a danger to yourself they might try to get you involuntarily committed to a mental institution

 

[Dejected 55]

Where do you go if you don't go to an ER? I am in the USA. I have no clue how anything works.

 

[madwoman]

Where do you go if you don't go to an ER? I am in the USA. I have no clue how anything works.

Hey I hope you are doing okay and I'm so sorry about what happened last night. You can call 988 the crisis hotline in the US or even find a mental hospital near you and walk in or call them for help. If you have insurance and access to virtual care by looking at the insurance website you can also look into that for either a regular doctor to tell you what to do or a mental health professional. Not sure if you got physically harmed but an ER might be helpful to treat you even if it can be intimidating to walk into. I once walked into a ER with an anxiety attack and it turned out fine and was helped. Sending love

 

[treeckofan]

Where do you go if you don't go to an ER? I am in the USA. I have no clue how anything works.

You can search "[your city name] psychiatric hospitals" and then call the places that come up to see if they have beds available and take walk up assessments. You can also ask if they take your insurance. You can also try calling your insurance's psychiatry triage number. But since you're in the USA, you really can go to an ER with your concerns to get assessed.