ThriveOrDie
We are already in hell
- Jul 11, 2019
- 449
If I decide to check myself in to ER should I pack a bag? What do I need to bring with me?
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If by ER you mean an emergency room at a hospital, you might find them somewhat unsympathetic to what they might see as a non-emergency situation.
If you are going for a medical emergency (trauma, heart failure, seizure, etc.) most do not bring anything with them. If you are going for what they might define as a psychiatric emergency, having packed something might indicate to them that it is not much of an emergency.
If you are going for a medical emergency (trauma, heart failure, seizure, etc.) most do not bring anything with them. If you are going for what they might define as a psychiatric emergency, having packed something might indicate to them that it is not much of an emergency.
MelancholyMagic
For my next trick, I will disappear
- Dec 12, 2021
- 205
Take what I say with a degree of caution - I am not too familiar with the "hospitalization pipeline". But the ER is only for short, acute stays. They would want to transfer you to an inpatient hospital if anything; you don't just stay in the ER.
From personal experience and from the experience of others, I have never heard of a good ER stay for psychiatric reasons. It's hell. But I have heard from others that inpatient hospitals can be ok (although usually people say they were a bad experience). Perhaps look at checking yourself directly into a psych ward and circumvent the ER step if you really want a hospitalization.
From personal experience and from the experience of others, I have never heard of a good ER stay for psychiatric reasons. It's hell. But I have heard from others that inpatient hospitals can be ok (although usually people say they were a bad experience). Perhaps look at checking yourself directly into a psych ward and circumvent the ER step if you really want a hospitalization.
Suicidebydeath
No chances to be happy - dead inside
- Nov 25, 2021
- 3,559
2+ bars of chocolate or comfort food, optional water bottle since you can get water there probably, standard face mask, mobile, money, taxi contact is necessary, some way to pass time, like a book, unless you're happy staring into space for half a day. I personally find it too awkward to read books in hospitals.
You will be there a very long time, many hours, possibly overnight to where it dwindles, before being seen as you'll be seen as non-emergency.
Suggest you tell the receptionist or early assesssment that you're suicidal or know someone that is, it's the only way you won't be there forever.
I did that around 6 hours in, I was out in around 7 hours, if that gives any indication.
Wait as long as you think you can though because accidents suck for others.
You might be better off just talking to your standard doctor, probably, face-to-face, if you can bear that. It'll save you an uncomfortable wait where you might feel like you just want to go home. Probably you'll get more done and faster talking to your doctor about it.
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I may be wrong, but I'm guessing that @ThriveOrDie wishes to be taken care of for a while, and maybe wind down without having to deal with all his/her problems on his/her own. Anyhow, those are probably great tips otherwise
Bedrock48
Dreadful damage, dreadful destiny
- Feb 1, 2021
- 540
If you can, buy a short cable for your charger. If you end up in a psych ward some allow you to have a cable if it's <10cm (give or take).
Otherwise, comfy clothes (nothing that has drawstrings or string), a book or other entertainment, prescribed medications, notebook and pen, hairbrush or comb
Otherwise, comfy clothes (nothing that has drawstrings or string), a book or other entertainment, prescribed medications, notebook and pen, hairbrush or comb
eternalpeace
Student
- Dec 19, 2021
- 139
It's hard to answer this, because what they actually let you keep depends on the hospital. I have been in a lot of different hospitals, and the experience varies greatly, even within the same city. Sometimes I was able to keep everything, and other times they took away all my clothes and all items, including my phone. I would say there's no harm in bringing a few bare essentials, but I wouldn't advise packing a big bag. And write down important phone numbers in case they take your phone. (Most times I was able to get access to my phone again, but a lot of places took it away in the beginning.)
GentleJerk
Carrot juice pimp.
- Dec 14, 2021
- 1,372
ThriveOrDie
We are already in hell
- Jul 11, 2019
- 449
My BF committed suicide 3 years ago. When his family tried to "help" him we brought him to the ER and he packed a big bag but IDK what he packed. They wanted to admit him but I brought him home. I called the suicide hotline yesterday and they told me to go to the ER if I am in imminent danger of suicide. I am in imminent danger. I am home alone now and fine but when my toxic family comes back home from vacation in 2 days I am going to fall apart again. I am completely broke and have nowhere to go. It's either be committed or carry out my ctb plan.
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eternalpeace
Student
- Dec 19, 2021
- 139
If that's the case, then do your best to get there as quickly and safely as possible. Don't worry so much about what to bring. Just get yourself there. I hope that you can get there, and that it is helpful to you. Hospitals have been helpful to me in the past, and I do think it is something worth trying. (This might sound hypocritical since I'm on this site myself, but things were much better for me for awhile before I spiralled out again, and I am sure that the help I received would have really turned my life around, had I received it a bit earlier, and were it not for some complicating factors unique to my life.)
KuriGohan&Kamehameha
想死不能 - 想活不能
- Nov 23, 2020
- 1,721
Have you considered going to a shelter/safe haven sort of place that may provide some comfort and sanctuary from your family? That might be a better option in the short term, if you feel like your environment is providing temptation to ctb. Hospitals can be quite unwelcoming, and I fear you may lose a lot of autonomy if placed in a facility, though it depends highly on the location, staff, etc.
Packing a bag is a good idea. Clothes and toiletries are of course pretty important to pack. At the psych ward where I stayed, zippers, drawstrings, shoelaces, and wired bras weren't allowed. Someone had brought a sudoku book and marker (pencils and pens weren't allowed) to entertain herself, which I wish I'd done.
Sherri
Archangel
- Sep 28, 2020
- 13,794
If you saying you feel suicidal maybe you should take one for sure, depends which country, where I live they wouldn't send me anywhere but back home with some meds.
If your hospital ER is the gateway portal to longer term care, they may be able to offer suggestions about what to bring. You may want to call them and ask what they would recommend.
The ERs that I am familiar with can be pretty rude about anything outside of what they would consider an emergency. They would most likely tell someone to call their mental health provider and go on to the next patient.
The ERs that I am familiar with can be pretty rude about anything outside of what they would consider an emergency. They would most likely tell someone to call their mental health provider and go on to the next patient.
Slaanesh
Memento mori
- Oct 23, 2019
- 52
I had to be bleeding out of my self harm wounds for ER to even look at me, if your not actively suicidal they'll often turn you away.
Noctis
I wish I'd done it years ago
- Dec 15, 2021
- 308
I've only had one stay at the hospital, but it was after I said too much to a therapist and I was involuntarily committed.
I wasn't allowed to keep ANYTHING. All my possessions were confiscated upon check-in and returned at check-out. Clearly your experience may differ, but my suggestion is to not take anything.
BitterlyAlive_
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- Dec 8, 2020
- 2,394
Hi, I used to work in an ER watching suicidal patients. Is there anyone who could drop off some clothes if you do end up going to inpatient psych?
We would have to lock up the individual's items in a locker. Not to be mean or make them feel singled out, but we have had incidents where patients have harmed themselves or attempted suicide with items from their belongings. It's a safety thing.
We would have to lock up the individual's items in a locker. Not to be mean or make them feel singled out, but we have had incidents where patients have harmed themselves or attempted suicide with items from their belongings. It's a safety thing.
Dragon's Heart
Well, that didnt go as planned.
- Dec 14, 2021
- 77
I walked in with nothing except basic cellphone/ID/car keys. They took all of it away and I could only wear what I wore into the ER without my shoes. No one there was allowed to wear shoes. I was forced to use only what toiletries were provided by them. I think they will let you have extra clothing if it passes inspection. There was access to a phone but they wouldn't let me have my cell which had all the numbers on it. That being said, you might have a better experience. If you go, let us know what happened?
ThriveOrDie
We are already in hell
- Jul 11, 2019
- 449
Thanks for sharing. I will let y'all know what happens.
I am going to cut off all contact with my family except for my brother. I'm sure he could bring me anything I need. Thanks for sharing your experience.
I think I am going to skip the ER and go straight to an inpatient facility
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BitterlyAlive_
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- Dec 8, 2020
- 2,394
It's perfectly reasonable to pack a bag, as I learned when I checked in the first time Without one. You're going to be there at least 3-5 days and you'll need clothes and something to pass the time. They take lots of things away, like nail files, which led to me "filing" a broken nail in the bathroom grout - it was hilarious.I may be wrong, but I'm guessing that @ThriveOrDie wishes to be taken care of for a while, and maybe wind down without having to deal with all his/her problems on his/her own. Anyhow, those are probably great tips otherwise
as for going to the ER, skip it and walk in the front door of the unit you want to go to. Tell them firmly you're suicidal and out of control. Stick to your statement and wait them out. They may complain that you should have gone to the ER ( where you would've been assigned to any unit that has space, not necessarily a good one) but keep waiting.
NearlyIrrelevantCake
The Cake Is A Lie
- Aug 12, 2021
- 1,393
GentlyFading
seasoned lurker (*ﾉωﾉ)ᵉᵉᵏ
- Dec 28, 2021
- 50
For ER stay: insurance card, photo id, portable battery + charger, favorite snacks, a change of underwear, a book (if a previous patient didn't ruin it for everyone by hiding a razor blade in a book). They likely won't let you bring much of anything if you're going to be in a behavioral health unit.
Make sure to turn your phone off when they take your belongings!
If you can, contact an outpatient clinician and tell them you're suicidal w/plan and plan on going to the ER. It'll make your admit process easier.
If you're on any scheduled medications that are more controlled than benzos I'd definitely bring them! ADHD medications, HRT prescriptions and injection supplies, and methadone are more difficult for hospitals to get ahold of. If you have the bottles with your name on it it's way easier for doctors to order for you and administer.
For inpatient psych hospital stay: comfy sweatpants and sweatshirts/warm pullovers without strings, underwear, shoes without laces, deodorant, hair conditioner, moisturizer, a razor and aftershave if you want to shave facial hair (all they have are single blade razors), a plastic hairbrush or menstrual products if needed (yes they have all these but it's all crap), books, a sketchbook if you wanna draw with nicer paper, phone charger with a wall plug (they usually have a few, but just in case), a written list of legal names and phone numbers of folks who can contact you during your stay, and names and contact information for your outpatient providers to make writing ROIs easier and help with discharge planning (not too much of an issue if everyone uses Epic but many mental health care providers don't so :/ ).
A complete deck of cards will make it easier to befriend other patients and help ease your discharge.
I like to store a pair of scissors in my bag because nurses often forget to cut off the plastic wristband when you discharge. I hate having it stuck to my wrist on the ride home.
Most pens, pencils, and things with metal, glass, hard plastic, and wood will likely be confiscated and given to you at discharge.
Hospitals tend to let you have access to your phone under supervision and some have the resources (only single rooms + cameras in rooms) to allow you to keep a phone without a cracked screen in your room. Staff will take your phone case off so it'll be a good idea to take out any cards/paper trapped between the back of the phone and case.
Take care <3
Make sure to turn your phone off when they take your belongings!
If you can, contact an outpatient clinician and tell them you're suicidal w/plan and plan on going to the ER. It'll make your admit process easier.
If you're on any scheduled medications that are more controlled than benzos I'd definitely bring them! ADHD medications, HRT prescriptions and injection supplies, and methadone are more difficult for hospitals to get ahold of. If you have the bottles with your name on it it's way easier for doctors to order for you and administer.
For inpatient psych hospital stay: comfy sweatpants and sweatshirts/warm pullovers without strings, underwear, shoes without laces, deodorant, hair conditioner, moisturizer, a razor and aftershave if you want to shave facial hair (all they have are single blade razors), a plastic hairbrush or menstrual products if needed (yes they have all these but it's all crap), books, a sketchbook if you wanna draw with nicer paper, phone charger with a wall plug (they usually have a few, but just in case), a written list of legal names and phone numbers of folks who can contact you during your stay, and names and contact information for your outpatient providers to make writing ROIs easier and help with discharge planning (not too much of an issue if everyone uses Epic but many mental health care providers don't so :/ ).
A complete deck of cards will make it easier to befriend other patients and help ease your discharge.
I like to store a pair of scissors in my bag because nurses often forget to cut off the plastic wristband when you discharge. I hate having it stuck to my wrist on the ride home.
Most pens, pencils, and things with metal, glass, hard plastic, and wood will likely be confiscated and given to you at discharge.
Hospitals tend to let you have access to your phone under supervision and some have the resources (only single rooms + cameras in rooms) to allow you to keep a phone without a cracked screen in your room. Staff will take your phone case off so it'll be a good idea to take out any cards/paper trapped between the back of the phone and case.
Take care <3
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Hi ThriveOrDie I'm so sorry you're caught in a toxic family situation like this. I don't know if you've checked if there are any peer respites in your area, I mention them because they are not locked places so you can still leave at will, generally safer. Good luck. Also I think it is basically always okay to lie and steal in order to get safe housing resources, not having a safe place to sleep is really more awful than any person should have to face.
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