Has anyone ever gone to the ER for suicidal thoughts, not an attempt?

If reading about suicide will upset or trigger you please do not read the rest of the post.


I am feeling horribly suicidal, the worst I've felt in a long, long time. I have never attempted to kill myself before but tonight I think I got close. I debated going to the ER, but I thought that would be more trouble than it was worth and took sleeping pills (a safe amount) that will kick in soon and hopefully the morning will be better.

But if I remain suicidal the next few days, should I admit myself to the hospital? What would that entail? Would they admit me, and is that worth losing money, losing class credit, losing my job...?

I guess my main question is how do they treat you when you come in suicidal but you have not attempted to kill yourself. Is it helpful or a waste of time?

They usually will watch you, and have security there too, until they decide to admit or not. If you tell them honestly that you're suicidal, they usually admit because that's not to be taken lightly. If you need it, go now. If you need help getting there, call 911. Being suicidal is an emergency

I have. I told them I was thinking of suicide, knew how I would do it but I didn't have a specific plan and that I was afraid I'd be impulsive and hurt myself which deep inside I knew I didn't want. They signed me up for a bed immediately.

(This may be related to my having been in the same hospital when I wrote a letter to tell them if they sent me home in 2 day as planned I intended to hurt myself. They were very concerned I was writing suicide notes while IP. I think they really trust me when I say impulsive after that).

I hope you feel better NOW and that you go to the ER if you need it. I know it is scary but it keeps you safe and helps with fixing meds so you don't feel so bad after you leave.

So in my hospital you are put at the nurses station until the psychiatrist can come and do an assessment. They take your cloths. If they admit you your lead back to a locked room where there are nurses and security. A nurse takes you to a smaller room and you have to undress and stand there while they take notes of all marks on your body. Then your allowed to get dressed.They will not let you have your shoes, belts, dentures and wired bras. Then you wait for them to get a bed for you. In my hospital the only thing you're allowed to bring is clothing. They provide everything else.

When you're taken upstairs they do another intake about your symptoms and the meds you're currently on. They order those meds and you see the pdoc the next day. In the mean time there are groups, meals and lights out.

The second day+ you see the pdoc, have groups and meals until they feel you're no longer a danger. my shortest time there was 3 days my longest was 9 days. If you're thinking about IP means you need it.

Miguel's Mom, your IP sounds so strict. Yuck.

My hospital has a psych ER that is separate so the ER is just a place for a quick eval by an ER doctor then you wait for a bed. The ER does require wearing hospital pajamas which is annoying. They don't make you strip, they just check your skin one part at a time.

I'm allowed to "check out" my shoes and I think belts during the day and check them back in at night. I think. I've never actually tried. I wear slippers and/or grippee socks; they encourage use of the grippees to prevent falls.

I'm allowed to provide my own toiletries and can bring in my own stuff. I bring in books and some puzzle books and a deck of cards. No hobbies with sharps, so no knitting or crocheting.

Clothing is fine from home with drawstrings removed. Underwire bras are allowed. So are dentures.

The rest is about the same.

It scares me that I could someday wind up in a hospital that is not as friendly as mine.

I am feeling the same tonight. I'm fighting really hard right now, and I have very little left to fight with.

I have been to the IP 2 times for "suicidal ideation". Both times all they did was make me stay in those terrifying dumps for some days. Nothing else. No med help. In fact, I had to wait days just to be seen by a disinterested pdoc. One night some woman tried to smother me with a pillow. It was terrifying. I was bored out of my mind and just sat and cried while the zombies around me watched TV or went outside in a tiny courtyard and smoked.

If you're a serious danger to yourself, please call your psychiatrist or go to the ER or call 911 (one of the latter if your danger is imminent.) Many people go at this stage. Going after an attempt only can be too late.

Most psychiatrists and therapists say on their voicemails that "If this is an emergency, call 911 or go to your nearest hospital ER." That is the best advice.

How are you feeling this morning?

I have these thoughts frequently and for the most part have learned to surf them. One time when I really didn’t think I could hold on, I went to a behavioral health hospital that is close by and asked them to admit me. I didn’t want to but I needed help.

Please take good care of yourself and stay safe.

Yup, I've gone a few times for suicidal thoughts actually. Each time they've admitted me to the inpatient unit. It's much better to go before you make any sort of attempt.

I have not, but there was definitely one time I really should have.

yes, and it was horrible.
everywhere I went, or everything I did, I was followed by 2 people like cameras.

I eventually was released, because I wasn't going to do it- from what I rememberr their was an actual bit of a miss understanding

It is best to call your own pdoc and talk options over with them. They can often accelerate the process and smoth the paperwork. If today you feel no better I suggest calling your T and your pdoc and telling them about the fears and come up with a safety plan.

I hope you are doing better today. I was actually shocked and sad reading what it's like for others when they go in for suicidal thoughts.

I have gone in a few times on my own. Ours is a locked ER so you can't leave unless you are let out. You talk to the Dr and they will usually call a mental health worker to come in and see you. Then the two of them talk to a psychiatrist and decide what is best.

My first time I was given the option of voluntary or involuntary but the only difference is I could be driven to the psych ward by my husband instead of police if I went voluntarily. I was having strong homicidal/suicidal urges but was pretty calm that time. One time they actually allowed me to choose if I wanted to go in or go home and I went in for a couple days but it was a total waste of time. Another time I changed my mind after I told them and said I was actually fine and tried to convince them but they sent me involuntary and the police had to handcuff me and everything because I tried to run but I was really manic then.

So anyways I just wanted to say not every hospital will strip you down or take everything. Of course there were only certain things allowed in my psych ward too but you could even use a razor during your shower if they felt you weren't at risk at that point. The ER part of things here is really not a big deal and definitely can be helpful if you are at that point. Please take care of yourself and go in if the thoughts aren't getting any better.

I went in once for suicidal ideation and they admitted me right away. I was close to attempting, and if I hadn't gone IP I would've gone home and either shot myself or taken enough meds to do the job. They knew I was serious so they transferred me to the psychiatric hospital in a neighboring town. It was a life-saver.

The place I was in didn't strip people down, but it was pretty strict as to what you could have. No phones or tablets, no iPods (although how anyone can hurt themselves or others with those fragile wires is beyond me), no drawstrings or shoelaces, not even snacks could be kept in the rooms. They were good about lots of other things though, and my stay was well worth the inconvenience. Even the food was plentiful and good, and we were allowed coffee until 11 AM. (Some places don't let patients have coffee at all.) That was four years ago, and I haven't had to go back since. But if I ever do, I'll go sooner rather than later.

Hospital should always be your last resort. You absolutely need to call your pdoc and tell them it is an emergency. If he is not available and you are still feeling this way you should definitely go to the er.

Don't worry about anything else as in your job, the cost, what matters is your health and safety.
IP can be a great break from life almost like a vacation and if your lucky you may get a lot out of it and meet some good people.

The IP I go to is strict but fair. They do a skin assessment but youre wearing a hospital gown and they check your skin for marks and tattoos/scars. There are lots of groups to keep you busy all day but there is down time. I was annoyed last time I went because they no longer have curtain on windows so its bright and theres no longer bathroom doors-just a shower curtain for privacy. Luckily my roommates and I would leave so we actually had SOME privacy. I heard rumor theyre gonna start locking the room doors during the day so you cant skip group...which is stupid because nurses make you go anyway lol Luckily we do get to go outside for walks to the duck pond or outside where people smoke in a fenced in area. (iVe seen people run away.) Also theres two day rooms where you can watch satellite tv or movies. the doctors are mostly great and so are the nurses. I go to that one because my dr works there and its the best IP ive been to.


seriously...if youre even feeling like you need ip-just go.

I’m not in the USA but being acutely suicidal ranks as an emergency here too. My advice is to get yourself to the best hospital close to you that takes your insurance immediately. I have left this part too long in the past and ended up attempting. It is a volatile state that you need to take extremely seriously. Please keep us updated when you can. Hope all goes well.

Thank you everyone... last night I took some sleeping pills (a safe amount) and I feel slightly better today. I decided that if I have multiple nights like last night I will check myself into the hospital.

Hugs to everyone, thank you for sharing your stories

I wish I had satelite TV in IP.

when I go it's usually a straight choice between sports (yuck), or chat shows (not bad, depends which one it is)

I have satelite at home though. so many channels

You should! The first time I hospitalized, someone brought me to the ER, so it was involuntary. The second time I didn't want to be hospitalized but I had brought myself because I was urged to do so by several friends. Honestly, suicide is impulsive. Sometimes it's better to let them admit you....

I used to sneak snacks in the room and share them with people. Once I snuck a pencil in (which you weren't allowed to have) and it started some drama.

Your hospital sounds like it was pretty nice. On that note maybe research hospitals in their area because sometimes the ER will admit you to less helpful places. This might have to do with living in a big city since they have a lot of hospitals but little room.

I've been to hospital for suicidal thoughts and impulses before. All that happened was they told me to go home and pretty much called me a time waster.

I never have but there was definitely a few times I should have.

Im glad you slept better but don’t hesitate to go to the ER. Be safe

Please, please find my post on the forum IP board.

I wil;l never, never, never go IP again, not for any reason. Ever.