Can you admit yourself to a mental health ward?

[Justfortonight1]

It’s not me. I’m very worried about a family member. They have had a dreadful few years, multiple catastrophic life events and o think they are having a breakdown

Drink and drugs are playing a huge part in their mental health - they were not like this before. On a few occasions they have took lots of tablets. Obviously more a cry of help but I’m worried one night they might actually do it.

I think their brain needs a rest and getting away from the idiots that are around them.

If I got them to tell the doctor they are having suisidal thought and possible attempts would they admit them?

Thanks

The Gp can make a referral,but they would need to be assessed by a mental health professional and tbh because of cuts there are much fewer in patient beds so they would have to be quite unwell to be admitted .

They would need to pose a significant risk to themselves or others to warrant an inpatient bed. Most likely they would end up under a crisis team

Unless you are able to pay for a private facility, it's as above.
The GP will refer to the local crisis team who will contact quickly, but, in patient will be unlikely I'm afraid to say.

No. Beds on mental health wards are very limited and are only offered to the most seriously unwell (the bar is higher than most people realise). Admissions are managed via a crisis team in most trusts, who will try hard to provide care at home as an alternative.

Mental health wards are also not always a very good place for people to get well. They are generally noisy and can be frightening.

Not a chance.

You have to be very ill to get taken in, even voluntarily.

Are they actually having such thoughts?

Could you take them away for a couple of nights by the seaside?

There are other ways to get a break than going into a hospital.

Plus, some decent therapy might help. I’m thinking of perhaps learning about boundary setting.

Yeah, it's not exactly a retreat on a ward.

I'd actually look at things like a retreat, if they need a bit if quiet. Depends on the additional needs? Eg, how bad is the addiction?

Seaside is an example btw!

The person would need to be a threat to themselves or anyone else but if they present at A and E they would be seen by a mental health assessor who would deter this ... GP do refer to the mental health services but this can take time due to the strain and cut on services.. you can make a self referal to self help you can find online .. they then arrange a time to have a phone call appointment usually a 1 hour slot to discuss issues .. then refer onto support rather Counselling CBT or other help ...

If there is a drug and alcohol issue , GP can refer to detox service

But usually people to take drugs and alcohol to self medicate anyone from the problems they are unable to deal with ..

If the person is suicidal just go to A and E to be safe x

Not likely. I begged to get admitted because I was actively planning to harm others and myself. They wouldn't take me in unless I had a method of suicide ready and a plan to carry it out in the next 24 hours.

I ended up attempting suicide twice in two weeks. Still no addmitance.

Unfortunately the nunber of mental health bed is far inferior to the number of people that need them.

I’ve just read a blog on a lady that was admitted. It doesn’t sound like a place I’d want then to end up in.

I can’t take them away at the moment but may be able to in a few months

They can still definitely speak to their GP and tell them how they are feeling. That’s a good idea anyway.

The Samaritans are always there to listen.

Therapy is good

Look after yourself too OP. It’s not easy supporting someone who is struggling.

Yep, I have to say it did sound like you'd never been inside a mh ward.

Maybe look for specialist charities?

Somewhere like this might be better:

www.maytree.org.uk/

Alongside significant, long-term Psychological treatment from their local Community Mental Health Team.