Clinically reviewed by Chistopher Wall, MD
If you’ve found yourself searching for the phrases “how do I check myself into a mental hospital?” or “how to admit myself to a psychiatric hospital,” take a deep breath. You’re in the right place.
You’re not alone, and you’re not failing. Asking for help is a brave and powerful first step, especially when you’re experiencing mental health struggles like suicidal thoughts, severe anxiety, manic symptoms, or paranoia.
This article breaks down what you can expect and how you can decide your next steps.
What You’ll Learn
- How do you know if it’s time to check yourself into a mental hospital?
- What is the process for admitting yourself to a psychiatric hospital at PrairieCare?
- What should you do if you’re in the middle of a mental health crisis right now?
- Can you voluntarily admit yourself, and what are the requirements for inpatient care?
Quick Read
Checking yourself into a mental hospital can be a tough decision, but it’s often the safest step when someone is experiencing suicidal thoughts, severe anxiety, mania, or paranoia. Inpatient care provides structure, safety, and support during a crisis.
If you’re in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest Emergency Room. At PrairieCare’s inpatient hospital in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, people 35 and younger can access short-term stays focused on stabilization. The process begins with a call to 952-826-8424. Our team will discuss with you whether our inpatient hospital is the most suitable care setting for you.
Signs It Might Be Time to Check Yourself Into a Mental Hospital
It can be hard to figure out if it’s time for you to access a higher level of care. You may not feel like it’s necessary at first. Symptoms can creep up little by little, and it’s easy to underestimate how serious they’ve become.
Still, certain warning signs indicate that inpatient treatment might be the safest and most supportive step. You might consider checking yourself into a mental hospital if you’re experiencing:
- Persistent suicidal thoughts or plans
- Inability to function in daily life (e.g., can’t get out of bed, eat, or go to work or school)
- Intense mood swings, manic symptoms, or racing thoughts
- Severe paranoia, delusions, or disconnection from reality
- Feeling unsafe or afraid you might hurt yourself or others
- Loss of control over behavior due to overwhelming emotions
If any of these symptoms apply to you, seeking help from an inpatient hospital or ER is a courageous and vital next step toward healing. Also, many studies show that having a family history of suicide significantly increases a person’s risk, so it’s vital to get help as soon as symptoms emerge.
Don’t wait for things to get worse. If you feel like you can’t get through the day, the best thing you can do is work with a mental health professional.
How Do I Check Myself Into a Mental Hospital?
At PrairieCare’s inpatient hospital in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, we offer short-term stays to support anyone 35 and younger through a mental health crisis. Most stays last about 7–10 days (depending on symptoms), with 24/7 care in a safe environment. Our intensive, daily treatment is designed to help you feel supported as we stabilize the troubling symptoms you’re experiencing.
If you need inpatient hospital support, here’s how our immediate admissions process works:
1. Contact PrairieCare at any time
Young adults (18 years and older) and parents can call us at 952-826-8424 for immediate support from our team. Depending on the circumstances, patients may be able to be admitted to the hospital without going through the ER. Any individual who has attempted suicide or has physical concerns must call 911 or go to the closest ER immediately.
2. Complete a brief screening over the phone
You’ll speak with our experts, who will listen to what is going on, assess your or your loved one’s symptoms (such as mania, paranoia, or suicidal ideation), and recommend the most appropriate care setting, even if it’s outside of our care. Sometimes we will recommend comprehensive outpatient treatment, such as our Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP).
3. Complete the intake and referral process
Once you and the admissions team decide on the best next step, we walk you through paperwork, insurance or payment verification, and submission of any required referral documentation, if applicable.
If our care recommendation is outside of PrairieCare, our admissions team will guide you through the next steps by phone, or provide email details so you can move forward with getting support.
4. Check-in
If you’re admitted to our inpatient hospital, you’ll arrive at our location in Brooklyn Park and be welcomed by your care team. Right away, a multidisciplinary treatment team will begin working with you to stabilize your symptoms and create a personalized treatment plan. Your team will include psychiatrists, therapists, nurses, mental health technicians, social workers, and providers in recreational care.
5. Therapeutic programming begins
During your stay, you’ll be supported through a variety of therapies, including individual, group, family, occupational, recreational, and art therapy. For children and teens, academic support is also included. Your family members are integrated into the process in a way that works for your situation.
From the very beginning, your care team will help you plan for life after your hospital stay, so you feel supported at every step. When it’s time, you can transition to the next phase of treatment, such as a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) or Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), to continue building on your progress with the care that best fits your needs.
What to Do in a Mental Health Crisis
If you’re facing a mental health crisis, such as ongoing suicidal thoughts, paranoia, uncontrollable mania, severe depression, or feeling unsafe, your priority is safety.
- If you are in immediate physical danger, call 911 or go to the nearest Emergency Room.
- If you’re having suicidal thoughts, call or text 988, the National Suicide Hotline, for free, confidential support available 24/7.
- If you need immediate treatment but are not in a life-threatening situation, call PrairieCare at 952-826-8424 anytime 24/7. Our team will guide you and help determine the safest plan for your care.
Mental Health Support in Minnesota
You or a loved one never has to face mental health challenges alone. At PrairieCare, we offer a full range of services to help people of all ages find life-changing relief from mental health symptoms and impacts. Our compassionate team of psychiatric experts is here for all Minnesotans when they need it most.
We’re here with you every step of your mental health journey. Get in touch to begin treatment today.
FAQs
Is it worth checking myself into a mental hospital?
- Yes. If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis (including suicidal thoughts, manic symptoms, paranoia, or severe depression), inpatient care can stabilize symptoms, provide safety, and begin healing.
Can you voluntarily admit yourself to a mental hospital?
- Yes, you can voluntarily admit yourself to a mental hospital. PrairieCare lets legal adults voluntarily admit themselves without having to go through an ER (depending on symptoms).
How does one check themselves into a mental hospital?
- Call PrairieCare at 952-826-8424 to undergo a screening, check if a bed is available, and ensure the hospital is the most appropriate care setting.
What are the requirements for a mental hospital?
- If you are having an acute psychiatric crisis, can’t ensure your own safety or the safety of others around you, or can’t take care of yourself, a mental hospital may be the right fit for you. A treatment team will evaluate your age, symptoms, and needs, and you’ll decide together what care option is best for you.
Can you call 988 for anxiety?
- Yes, you can call or text 988 anytime you have feelings that are too intense or unsafe for you to cope with, including anxiety.
Can a minor refuse to go to a mental hospital if their parents want them to?
- If a child or teen refuses care in a situation where there are safety concerns, it’s possible that 911, a local mental health crisis team, and/or Emergency Room staff will need to be involved. In cases of overdose, severe injury, or other urgent physical danger, 911 should always be called immediately. PrairieCare staff are available anytime at 952-826-8424 to help families determine the best course of action depending on the situation.