here in NY the place to begin is with your own treatment providers if you are on state insurance plans, the reason our state insurance plans say the first step is the treatment provider is because the state requires the Primary Care Provider (your therapist, psychiatrist or medical doctor) to do a "referral" form meaning signing a paper stating your treatment provider believe you to be a danger to your self and others and inpatient rather then outpatient care is what you need at that moment. Contacting your treatment provider first also ensures the availability of a bed for you on the mental health unit. I know some people who have gone to the ER first and discovered they could not be admitted because all the beds on the mental health unit were full of others that needed inpatient care.

right now America is changing over to the federal law that every american must have, health insurance coverage that covers things like basic mental physical and dental care. so you might want to contact your insurance company to find out what services you are covered for and what the process of inpatient care is for that insurance plan you chose.

if you are paying on your own for your inpatient care then you can either contact your treatment provider or go to the ER. if you choose the ER you may have a wait depending upon how many people are waiting their turn and availability of beds on the mental health unit.