Venting How does anyone afford to admit themselves to mental hospitals let alone "visiting" on multiple occasions? (USA)

[StarMaiden]

I see people I follow on social media and even personal friends talk about admitting themselves to mental hospitals when they're feeling suicidal or depressed and I can't wrap my head around it. Some of them have made multiple "visits" to these facilities. Even when I'm at my lowest and I've felt like maybe admitting myself would be a good idea, I can't bring myself to do it because the bill will total at least several thousand and the debt would only make me worse off than I already was. I understand a lot of people are involuntarily admitted for one reason or another but I'm not really talking about that. I'm moreso referring to people who seem to have the privilege to be able to admit themselves. I won't lie, even though I doubt staying at these facilities is that pleasant, I feel a little jealous that they seem to have the option at all.

 

[dimstar]

I'm right there with you. My issues personally it sounds like I'd have a very bad time there but at times I want to tell doctors everything because I guess sometimes I dont want to die for those around me and to just force myself to try to be betterish again. But the Bill's make it a hard no for me. I'd rather pay rent a few months buy a nice new TV and bunch of games and drugs than be in a place that would odds are decrease my mental health. U.S. mental health seems like a money grab to me.

 

[SilentSadness]

Perhaps they live in a country where they are free of charge, anyway I wouldn't want to go to one of those abusive places.

 

[StarMaiden]

Perhaps they live in a country where they are free of charge, anyway I wouldn't want to go to one of those abusive places.

a lot of my friends have said they had good experiences with nice caring staff which only made me more jealous

 

[unnormal9]

In my case, I was involuntary committed multiple times due to chronic suicidal recurring attempts and self harm. My longest stay was 3 years via court order. Insurance typically covers psych ward stays.
It does not cover irreparable damage and abuse.

 

[bunn1bel]

Admitted myself, talked about how one reason I wanna ctb is financial insecurity, get discharged, get $53k bill. Lol.

 

[ikadasui]

Admitted myself, talked about how one reason I wanna ctb is financial insecurity, get discharged, get $53k bill. Lol.

How long was this stay? that's near surgical levels of fee's that's beyond insane

 

[bunn1bel]

How long was this stay? that's near surgical levels of fee's that's beyond insane

A few weeks. Insurance did take the brunt of it but I do still owe thousands

 

[Hugh Class]

I live in California.... and i was involuntary admitted to a mental unit in a private hospital.... for 7 days a few years ago. It was pure luxury.... lots of snacks.... comfy furniture.... pool....quiet and relaxing, very good food. I wanted to live there!!! It felt like a vacation spot.

I was evaluated and released..... but the tax payers got the bill....because i was involuntary commited against my will by a court.

In that particular situation..... it was a good experience....

 

[Letgo]

So I am here in the US, let's say my ctb attempt with SN fails and I am taken to the hospital. Who determines if I should go to a mental unit? Can I be sent to jail? How do they determine it? Does age play any role in it?

 

[Hugh Class]

So I am here in the US, let's say my ctb attempt with SN fails and I am taken to the hospital. Who determines if I should go to a mental unit? Can I be sent to jail? How do they determine it? Does age play any role in it?

You wont be sent to jail. But the hospital staff who saved your life will have to make a medical report on the circumstances surrounding your medical emergency. By law... they must hold you and turn the matter over to a social worker who handles these situations.... and they will file for involuntary court ordered mental health evaluation..... which could be weeks or months in a mental health unit.

I know this...because several years ago...i tried to overdose on prescription medication and failed... i was locked up for a couple months in a mental health unit.... while i was constantly being evaluated by the staff.... who eventually recommended my release to a court...and i was set free.

 

[headcase95]

You wont be sent to jail. But the hospital staff who saved your life will have to make a medical report on the circumstances surrounding your medical emergency. By law... they must hold you and turn the matter over to a social worker who handles these situations.... and they will file for involuntary court ordered mental health evaluation..... which could be weeks or months in a mental health unit.

I know this...because several years ago...i tried to overdose on prescription medication and failed... i was locked up for a couple months in a mental health unit.... while i was constantly being evaluated by the staff.... who eventually recommended my release to a court...and i was set free.

Can you say what state this was? From what I've read the longest they can keep you is 2 weeks. Were there any specific circumstances that made them keep you for a couple months?

 

[StarMaiden]

I live in California.... and i was involuntary admitted to a mental unit in a private hospital.... for 7 days a few years ago. It was pure luxury.... lots of snacks.... comfy furniture.... pool....quiet and relaxing, very good food. I wanted to live there!!! It felt like a vacation spot.

I was evaluated and released..... but the tax payers got the bill....because i was involuntary commited against my will by a court.

In that particular situation..... it was a good experience....

Wait where in California? I know someone else in Cali who was involuntarily admitted and got a huge bill they're still paying off years later.

 

[Hugh Class]

Wait where in California? I know someone else in Cali who was involuntarily admitted and got a huge bill they're still paying off years later.

If you was held against your will and a court ordered you involuntary committed ... you don't pay. I don't know the circumstances what happened to your friend....i can only explained what happened to me.

Can you say what state this was? From what I've read the longest they can keep you is 2 weeks. Were there any specific circumstances that made them keep you for a couple months?

My situation was several years ago....maybe these days... a week or two in the mental hospital is the maximum allowed for involuntary holds at government expense . I don't know.

 

[Letgo]

You wont be sent to jail. But the hospital staff who saved your life will have to make a medical report on the circumstances surrounding your medical emergency. By law... they must hold you and turn the matter over to a social worker who handles these situations.... and they will file for involuntary court ordered mental health evaluation..... which could be weeks or months in a mental health unit.

I know this...because several years ago...i tried to overdose on prescription medication and failed... i was locked up for a couple months in a mental health unit.... while i was constantly being evaluated by the staff.... who eventually recommended my release to a court...and i was set free.

Thank you so much for the reply and for clearing things out. Much appreciated.

 

[sheepgirl]

I live in NZ where healthcare is free. I am pretty sure I've likely costed the healthcare system hundreds of thousands of dollars. I know for a fact the residential treatment centre I was sent to for 9 months was $3500 a week so my treatment there cost at least $100k. Though here you can't just check yourself into hospital if you're suicidal. You have to be assessed and unless there's a high risk of harm or suicide they usually send you away