As with any medical emergency, a mental health emergency can be life threatening.
People experiencing a mental crisis can cause harm to themselves or others
around them. In cases like these, having reliable emergency help is crucial.
Get immediate emergency assistance by calling 911, and let the dispatcher
know you are calling about a mental health emergency.
At University Medical Center New Orleans, our Behavioral Health Emergency
Room (BHER) is built to serve up to 26 patients in need of emergency care.
Our staff specialize in proactive, rapid assessment, stabilization, and
treatment of patients in crisis.
The multidisciplinary team in the BHER consists of emergency physicians,
emergency psychiatrists, psychiatric nursing, and social workers. The
staff will help patients’ families understand potential treatment
options and encourage them to participate in assessing treatment plans
to determine if inpatient admission or outpatient follow up is most appropriate.
With the support of families in conjunction with behavioral health staff,
patients can regain control of their lives.
Signs of a mental health emergency
Knowing how to spot a mental health crisis can be crucial in preventing
patients from hurting themselves or others around them.
A person may be experiencing a mental health crisis if they show signs of:
Threatening a suicide attempt
Assault or threatening actions against another person
