Triggering (Suicide) - Hospitalized for Suicidal Thoughts?

[Scabette]

I was on a totally unrelated forum, and a girl said that she had been hospitalised for 'suicidal ideation'. Her parents gave consent, so she was forced to go into hospital. (I think this was in America).

I've really been worrying about this. Will they send you to hospital for thinking about suicide?
You see, I plan several different deaths every day. Obviously, I don't do them, so I thought I was safe from the psychs.

Somebody in the know, please advise?
x

[perfection is a flaw]

umm as far as i know you wont be hospitalised for just thinking about suicide, they have to think that youre a real risk to yourself that youre going to act on those plans. at least thats been my experience in the uk.
i hope youre ok
look after youreself and stay safe
x x x

[Sarika]

At my hospital at least, they invite you to come to the ER with any suicidal ideation. You get in pretty quick, and they'll call in a psych to evaluate you/talk with you. I've been there 4 times for suicidal ideation alone, and have never been involuntarily hospitalized. The only reasons they would hospitalize you would be:
1. You've made an attempt
2. You've engaged in self-harming behavior that day (which I think is idiotic)
3. You don't have support (no family/friends to watch for you)
4. You can not control your emotions (crying heavily, anger the next second)
5. You say you will kill yourself (not just having thoughts)
6. You are not willing to co-operate with any procedures while at the hospital (EX blood tests)
7. You have a very detailed plan(s), the means and the date/time (I've admitted to 2 of the 3 and was fine)
8. If they find anything on you like razors,pills,etc. (you're obviously determined enough to bring things to the ER when you're apparently searching for help)
9. If you are psychotic,hallucinating,etc
10. If the psych feels that, for whatever reason, you should be hospitalized until the feelings have passed (if you have past attempts, this would be reccomended)
11. If you have a outside doc/psych/therapist/etc who recommends hospitalization after they have been informed of your condition.
12. If you are a minor (18 and under) and your parents/guardians request that you be hospitalized.

11 and 12 really suck, because basically whatever they say you've got to do. Even if you are legal age, in the case of 11, your doc can say you're a danger to yourself and will have you hospitalized.
Basically, one you admit you are suicidal, you pretty much lose control on any say you have until the psych has cleared you.

[dying__deep__inside]

I've been inpatient twice.

However, that wasn't just for suicidal ideation.

That was also for self-injury.

In my opinion, inpatient does NOT help.

I think they should help you figure out what to do if you ever feel the need to attempt/commit suicide and/or self-injure again, but the two I went to didn't.

Plus, we were stuck inside almost 24/7.

[Belt]

See I reckon either Northern Ireland-is absolutely terrible mental health services-or it's different down here.

I've had suicidal attempts
Expressed intensely my intentions
Couldn't control my emotions.
And caused some serious self harm-for which I needed medical attention.

And I've never been put inpatient.

But by the same shrink-she put my whole household on 'alert' when I said "I hate life"

[sapphire hearts]

So you really can be hospitalised for suicidal intentions? Not sure if I like that. But I guess if that does happen then the doctors probably think it's for your own good. Admittedly I don't always trust doctors, but hey.
Take care hun, sorry I haven't got anything productive to say.
Katie xxx

from what I know...they wont hospitalize you for thoughts unless they actually believe you will commit it....I have had alot of suicidal thoughts...even cut myself but my therapist never sent me to the hospital because she knew I wasnt going all the way....its important to talk about it though...at least it helped me...or write it somewhere....

[Jetforce]

Here in Australia the mental act states that if ur danger to your or others, you may be hospitalised...So yeah, they might send you to hospital depending on the situation at hand, but hopefully not.

[~ Mandy ~]

It is unlikely that they will hospitalise you for thinking about suicide. They only will if you say you are going to do something.

[Starburst]

You will only be hospitalised if you are considered a danger to yourself.

[x-Silvermist-x]

I am currently an inpatient on a psychiatric ward. This is my second admission this year. I've overdosed numerous times this year and my self harm has also got pretty bad. Apparently they had reason to believe I'd hurt myself again, which I suppose is true. Therefore I'm a danger to myself and that's why I have to remain in hospital.

[_zombie]

in america, you can go to a mental institution for suicidal thoughts, if you share them with your peers.
because at that point you're in the thought of harm to yourself.
but the deal is, you cannot be there for more than 72 hours unless you are in serious danger of yourself.
for example, you have scars all over your body that are relatively new, if you attempt suicide multiple times within a length of time, or prove to them that you need help, and a lot of it.
but they only way you can get into a mental hospital for suicidal thoughts. is if your parents agree to it. and put you in there.
it's their say, unless you were hospitalized from an attempt in suicide, or self harm.
at that point, it's what the hospital psychiatrist says.

my problem with this is.
you have no say, because you aren't trusted. your crazy to them. and it isn't fair to you, because you have no options. you have no rights.
and being in a mental institute, you are cooped up in a little room, and evaluated over and over by psychiatrists who don't give a damn about how you felt.
it's all a matter of them getting paid for being a "great" psychiatrist.

i'm sorry for my little rant there :/

x

i live in america and have been hospitalized 3 times for suicidal ideation. if you tell someone you have a plan, you will be hospitalized, adult or not, with or w/o your parent's consent.

[camybaby]

Yes I have but it was entirely voluntary although my mum wanted me to go in order to be safe and get help. I just went to the er, told them I have in the past ended up in hopsital because of a suicide attempt, and that i was very serious and told them of a detailed intent.

So I was put in an institution as an out patient which wasnt that bad. It was a very boring place actually, not scary at all

[musicboxdancer]

I was hospitalized for 2 weeks and sent to group home for 1 week because I was caught about to attempt and was having kind of a break down... In the "patients rights" hing they gave me it said that you can only be hospitalized in a mental hospital (in California at least) if you are a danger to yourself, to others, or have no one and no way to take care of yourself. So you can't be hospitalized for thinking about suicide, but you can be for thinking about acting on suicide. If that made sense...

[cutupangel09]

Yes, I was hospitalized for suicidal thoughts and self-harm. It can happen. If you are in danger to yourself or others then they have a right by law to hospitalize you. At least in America, other places I don't know. If you are this way hospitalization may help no matter how scary it seems. Good luck. If you are a danger to yourself I suggest going to someone for help.

[Aidee]

As you've prolly noticed from the differences in the replies, it really seems to vary from place to place, esp country to country. It is also subject to what the doctor, social worker, CPN, or whomever deems as "serious". There are guidelines, but something that might get you IP at one place won't at another because of the context and such.

Where I live in the US the guidelines are pretty similar to what everyone else has said. I know here with the 72 hour thing is that the Hospital can have you admitted against your will for 72 hours, after that they either have to release you, get you to go in voluntary or they have to get a court ordered hold. That means they have to prove to the court that you have to stay there or else you will suffer grave consequences.


AD

[purpletutu]

I was recently hospitalized for suicidal ideation. This is what happened to me in Georgia. I have never had depression before and was afraid I might hurt myself so I tried to get some help. Called my insurance who referred me to my local hospital. When I went there I was put on a hold and told by the doctor they do not treat mental health patients (his bill for telling me this was $623.). I was treated like a prisoner with a guard at the door and left in the room for 11 hours. Had to wait on the mental health evaluator, there is only one person in North GA. When she evaluated me she was very brusque and told me to get comfortable I could be at the emergency room all night. Was told I had to be transferred to the nearest short term mental health facility by ambulance ($1,823.00 ins. says the ambulance was out off network). When I finally got to the mental health facilty I was strip searched. The whole process is very demeaning and sadly I didn't get the help I need just alot of medical bills. If I had to do it again I would seek out a good therapist. After I was discharged and tried to see a therapist several of them told me I was too high risk to see. The mental health care in GA is a nightmare. It seems many states have cut mental health care budgets so low it's hard to find resources and care.

[Pappi]

it sounds like she went in because her parents requested her to do so. I think about suicide all the time and they only consider hospital after an attempt or they think I'm a real danger to myself. That's it though. Nothing more. x

[Dr_boo]

I have been in hospital for suicidal idealisation twice. It does happen but I think it's pretty rear.