How do I get into hospital?

[Marktheghost]

How do I get into hospital? I can't cope. Should I just phone NHS 24 and ask how to commit suicide, or what?

 

[bananabear]

you could call the police or ambulance, or alternatively local hotlines may do that for you. or if youre well enough to get there yourself, make your way there and just walk in and explain, you can lie and say a hotline operator told you to if you want some reasoning to fall back on or are nervous about it. the details can come after they admit you, they just need to know that youd be a danger to yourself, so if you do walk in, just explain that clearly (admittedly, looking distressed may help rush you through though)

 

[autumnal]

The options are as @bananabear suggested. Police, ambulance, crisis line etc are all extra precursors to the main event, being an assessment at A&E and a possible admission to a psychiatric ward (or non-admission but connection with outpatient crisis services). The fastest way is to go directly to your local A&E and tell them about your suicidal feelings. Be honest about whether you have a plan and the means to carry it out.

Due to COVID-19 there may be extra waiting times or special different procedures at A&E, so it probably doesn't hurt to call the hospital or check their website first.

Even if there are waiting times, however, you may still feel 'safer' being in the more supportive A&E environment with people around rather than elsewhere.

But beyond A&E, the actual number of psychiatric beds will generally be unaffected by COVID-19 as they are specifically allocated for that kind of patient.

 

[Forever Wandering]

How do I get into hospital? I can't cope. Should I just phone NHS 24 and ask how to commit suicide, or what?

the amount of money it costs to go to hospital makes it a last-ditch option. If I were you I would just go see a psychiatrist.

 

[autumnal]

the amount of money it costs to go to hospital makes it a last-ditch option. If I were you I would just go see a psychiatrist.

OP sounds like he is in the UK where cost is not an issue compared to the US.

 

[Smudgedlines]

How do I get into hospital? I can't cope. Should I just phone NHS 24 and ask how to commit suicide, or what?

my ex alcoholic partner threatened suicide several times in order to try to get some help. In the UK mental health services are stretched to the limit. There are no beds. There are no services without massive waiting lists. My ex called the police with a rope around his neck and was sent in for assessment. He was out in 12 hours BUT hes a raging alcoholic so they have to see him sober (was never going to happen).

funny that he's the one that nearly driven me to it.

 

[blivogade]

nhs use admission as the absolute last option, they wont put you in there just because you want to go in, its not a getaway camp.
they rarely admit those who have actually attempted and need to be admitted anymore because the service is so incredibly stretched, you're better off going to your doctor to get a referral to community services.

 

[autumnal]

nhs use admission as the absolute last option, they wont put you in there just because you want to go in, its not a getaway camp.
they rarely admit those who have actually attempted and need to be admitted anymore because the service is so incredibly stretched, you're better off going to your doctor to get a referral to community services.

To be fair, I don't think the OP was in any wanting hospitalisation flippantly or acting like it was 'a getaway camp'.

While all systems do have limits and shortages, I still think there is benefit for the OP to attend A&E and at least go through the steps required for assessment. In the event they don't warrant hospitalisation (or in the event they do but there are no beds available) they will then be referred to the appropriate outpatient services.

 

[blivogade]

To be fair, I don't think the OP was in any wanting hospitalisation flippantly or acting like it was 'a getaway camp'.

While all systems do have limits and shortages, I still think there is benefit for the OP to attend A&E and at least go through the steps required for assessment. In the event they don't warrant hospitalisation (or in the event they do but there are no beds available) they will then be referred to the appropriate outpatient services.

Yes i get that but if they need help they should go and seek it, not ask how to get into hospital online. perhaps i interpreted it wrong and if thats the case i apologise for being blunt.

 

[Checkmate64]

I agree, I had to go to A&E 4 times until they finally admitted me and even then it was only because I had cut myself really badly. The other times I went in saying I don't feel safe with myself or whatever they just sent me home saying I had the capacity to make my own decisions. But going to A&E they might put you in touch with your local mental health outpatient team if you haven't seen them already so I suppose there's no harm in going and telling them how you're feeling.
Good luck

 

[Dora192]

If you're in the UK this may be of some help to you. There's currently new regs in place due to Covid

NHS Guidance on temporary changes to the Mental Health Act due to coronavirus

Because of the coronavirus crisis, professionals might have to change the way they use the Mental Health Act - this guide explains these changes.

www.rethink.org

 

[autumnal]

Yes i get that but if they need help they should go and seek it, not ask how to get into hospital online. perhaps i interpreted it wrong and if thats the case i apologise for being blunt.

Clearly they didn't know how the system and procedures work, which is understandable for anyone who hasn't specifically been through the mental health side of things. Psychiatric triage and referral is relatively unknown by wider society compared to calling an ambulance for an accident or injury.

 

[Checkmate64]

If you're in the UK this may be of some help to you. There's currently new regs in place due to Covid

NHS Guidance on temporary changes to the Mental Health Act due to coronavirus

Because of the coronavirus crisis, professionals might have to change the way they use the Mental Health Act - this guide explains these changes.

www.rethink.org

Thats quite interesting, so might be easier to be admitted if op thinks they need to be in hospital.

 

[Sotired_]

Unless you are deemed not to have capacity it's extremely unlikely you'll get admitted. I've tried quite a few times to get admitted when I've asked them to stop me from hurting my family, or after unresearched and therefore unsuccessful attempts.

But admission on the whole is highly unproductive. In an ideal world you'd get treatment in there, but my experience was that you don't. You go between your room and the lounge, with nothing to do unless you've bought anything in to do with you. Treatment generally just happens in the community. Give it a go if you want to be saved.

 

[JustLosingMyself]

In my experience hospital is little more than a borefest.
If you're lucky you get 1 hour group therapy a day, a chat with a psychiatrist every 2nd day, lousy food and little else.
Waste of time and effort

 

[bpdandme]

How do I get into hospital? I can't cope. Should I just phone NHS 24 and ask how to commit suicide, or what?

With coronavirus atm I feel like it might be quite hard to get into a hospital? You could ask for a crisis team to come out and visit or maybe ring a hotline?