How long do you stay in a mental hospital for depression

Key takeaways: 

• The purpose of going to a mental health hospital is to stay safe and to set up an ongoing treatment plan.

• Every hospital operates differently, which includes the types of therapy and programs you have access to as well as how long you stay. 

• Work with your regular mental health or healthcare provider if you’re considering a voluntary stay at a hospital for your mental health. 

Whether it’s depression, suicidal thoughts, or recovery after a traumatic event, sometimes going to the hospital for your mental health can be an important part of your treatment journey. However, the process can be intimidating, especially if it’s your first time checking into a mental health hospital. 

Here’s what you should know about voluntarily checking yourself into a mental health hospital.

Should I voluntarily check myself into a mental health hospital? 

Most treatments for mental health issues are voluntary, which means you are the one who chooses to seek help. This can include going to the hospital when you recognize you need extra care.

“If you’re experiencing a crisis and feel out of control, checking into a mental health facility is a good place to get the help you need,” says Dr. Keith Stowell, a psychiatrist and the chief medical officer for Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care. “These facilities are staffed with teams of dedicated professionals who provide you with support and care tailored to your needs.” 

People who check into mental health hospitals may be experiencing:

• Suicidal thoughts

• Severe depression

• Self-injury

• Detachment from reality

• Severe difficulty keeping up with daily functioning

Hospitalization may also be helpful when you need to make a big medication change. When you’re monitored at the hospital, staff is on-hand to make sure you’re responding safely to a significant medication change in a short amount of time. 

Part of deciding to go to the hospital will include deciding whether or not a lower level of care will keep you safe and stabilize your mental health. Providers typically consider treatment through increased outpatient therapy, an intensive outpatient or partial hospitalization program, or crisis residential treatment first before hospitalization.  

If you already see a mental healthcare provider, talk to them about your concerns. They can help you determine the best course of treatment as well as recommend good hospitals in the area. Your primary care provider can also be a good resource if you’re unsure what treatment options might be available. 

What about involuntary hospitalization for mental health reasons?

Sometimes people are involuntarily “committed” to the hospital due to mental health concerns. This may be because providers or even law enforcement fear for the person’s or others’ well-being and decide stabilizing treatment in a hospital is the best course of action. 

Involuntary hospitalization can be a controversial topic and requires different considerations than a voluntary stay. In this post, we’ll focus on what to expect if you voluntarily admit yourself to a mental health hospital. 

Keep in mind even when you’re there voluntarily, mental health hospitals do restrict your movements — you’re required to stay in your wing or unit unless you’re given permission to leave. Even the times you’re able to go outside are very strict and you’ll follow a structured schedule. Hospital staff will check on you regularly around the clock, sometimes as often as every 15 minutes. 

What’s generally offered at mental health inpatient programs?

One of the first services you’ll likely have at the hospital is an assessment with a psychiatrist. You may also be seen by a physician and have your bloodwork done. From there, the programs or treatment offerings at a mental health hospital can vary. Other services you may get could include:

• Medication management

• Case management and care coordination services

• Group therapy 

• Educational meetings on coping skills and other tools to support your mental health

• Recreation activities like exercise, meditation, and art therapy

• Family therapy sessions

• One-on-one therapy sessions

If I voluntarily admit myself to a psychiatric hospital, can I leave whenever I want? 

Voluntarily admitting yourself to a mental health hospital doesn’t mean you can just check out whenever you want. Depending on your situation, you and your treatment team will decide together the best time for you to leave the hospital. Or, if you want to leave the hospital early, you can request an early discharge. 

“If you come in on a voluntary basis seeking treatment, you have the right to leave on your own within a reasonable time frame,” Dr. Stowell says. “Unfortunately, television and the movies give a wrong portrayal of mental health hospitals where it seems that it’s impossible to leave.”

Each state has its own rules and regulations about your rights when you voluntarily go to a psychiatric hospital. Once you request to leave, a provider will likely evaluate your safety before giving the go-ahead to send you home. 

Usually the only time a provider will deny your request to leave is if you present a clear danger to yourself or to others. This usually means you’re experiencing acute suicidal thoughts or urges to hurt others. 

If your provider decides to hold you after you request to leave, they can typically only do so for 72 hours. According to Dr. Stowell, you can appeal. 

What to pack when you go to a mental health hospital

Every hospital has different rules about what you can bring with you for your stay. If you’re able to plan ahead, most hospitals publish a list online of what you should and shouldn’t bring. You can also call the hospital to ask what’s best to pack. 

In general, you will need several changes of clothing. Some hospitals have laundry facilities. Don’t forget to bring essentials like: 

• Pajamas

• Underwear

• Socks

• Toiletries, including a toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, and soap (check with your hospital to see what else is allowed)

You’ll also want to have some administrative info with you when you check in, including: 

• Your health insurance card

• A list of the medications and dosages you take

• Contact information for your regular therapist, psychiatrist, and primary care provider

• Phone numbers of parents (for cases where children are admitted), spouses, or a close family member or friend

You may want to bring slip-on shoes because some hospitals ask you to remove any shoe laces. Sometimes you’ll need special permission for medical equipment — such as a CPAP machine for sleep apnea. 

Before bringing a cell phone or tablet, ask permission. Some facilities let you bring them. But many don’t because the staff finds making or receiving calls or texts distract from treatment. In some cases, it can be therapeutic to get separation from your phone and the internet. 

Common items hospitals don’t allow include anything that could be considered sharp, like a shaving razor or nail clippers. Belts, shoelaces, or strings from sweatshirts are also typically restricted. Other items, like a music player, stuffed animals, or blankets from home may not be allowed. 

Hospital staff will review what you brought as you’re checked in. This may include being asked to remove all your clothing so a nurse can check you. Anything you’re not allowed to have will be securely stored and given back to you when you check out.

What happens after you leave a mental health hospital?

Just because you’re leaving the hospital doesn’t mean your mental health treatment will end. The goal of a hospital stay is to keep you safe and help you arrange ongoing mental health treatment outside of the hospital. Voluntary stays in the hospital tend to be short, on average between 3 and 10 days. 

“Inpatient therapy is brief,” Stowell says. “It’s a start, a place to learn to manage those ongoing stressors in life. From there, you can continue that learning process in an outpatient setting.”

Before you’re discharged from the hospital, your treatment team will work with you to build a plan for your mental health care once you leave the hospital. Your plan could include treatment options such as:

• Transition to residential treatment

• Partial hospitalization or intensive outpatient programs

• Psychotherapy (sometimes more frequently than before you were hospitalized)

• Medication management 

The first few weeks at home can be an adjustment. Even after a handful of days in an inpatient setting, returning to a routine takes time. Getting a good night’s sleep in your own bed may be a bit difficult, and you might feel lonely. 

If you’re struggling, it’s important to reach out to your therapist or loved ones for extra support. Research shows there’s an increased risk for suicide following discharge from the hospital. Make sure to have a plan in place for your safety once you’re home. 

The bottom line

If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis and could benefit from 24/7 support, you might consider voluntarily checking yourself into a mental health hospital. While you’re there, the goal is a short stay to make sure you’re safe and to set you up with a plan for ongoing care. Every hospital will offer different programs, from medication management to recreational therapies. Talk to your healthcare provider if you’re considering a mental health hospital stay. If you’re in immediate danger, don’t wait: Call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, you’re not alone and help is available. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or text HOME to 741-741 to reach the Crisis Text Line.

GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.

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