Behavioral health issues are likely much more prevalent in the United States than most people realize. According to statistics from the National Alliance on Mental Illness, about 1 in 20 adults in the U.S. — more than 14 million people — have a serious mental illness. Additionally, 1 in 5 U.S. adults has experienced mental illness at some point in their lives. Also of note, 17% of youth ages 6 to 17 experience a mental disorder.

Mental health issues can be addressed through regular appointments and consultations with a health care professional. However, more serious behavioral and mental issues often warrant extended stays in programs, facilities and rehabilitation centers that cater to treating those specific issues.

Recognizing that it’s always a difficult decision to make, there are several factors to consider when it comes to placing a family member or loved one in a behavioral health clinic. These include recognizing the symptoms and warning signs, understanding the reasons most likely to require a stay in a mental health facility and properly assessing the overall situation.

Warning signs and symptoms

According to the University of Utah’s Huntsman Mental Health Institute, the main warning signs that signal a person may need to be placed in a mental health facility include the following:

• Posing a danger to themselves and/or others.
• Having suicidal thoughts or exhibiting suicidal behaviors.
• Not taking care of themselves physically.
• Experiencing psychotic episodes.

People who are at a high risk of harming themselves or others can benefit from short-term treatment. Being placed in a facility can help stabilize their mental health. Anyone thinking about taking their own life should seek immediate help.

There are many habits that signal a person may not be able to take care of themselves properly. These can include a break in eating patterns, stopping medications, skipping work or school, forgoing bathing or showering, sleeping more than normal, suffering from insomnia, experiencing general exhaustion and withdrawing from social situations.

The National Institute of Mental Health defines psychosis as “a collection of symptoms that affect the mind, where there has been some loss of contact with reality. During an episode of psychosis, a person’s thoughts and perceptions are disrupted and they may have difficulty recognizing what is real and what is not.”

Some prominent warning signs related to a psychotic episode include hearing sounds that aren’t there, seeing people or things that aren’t there or believing someone is always watching or out to harm you.

Reasons to strongly consider admittance

In addition to the top warning signs, there are other considerations that could factor heavily into the decision to admit someone into a behavioral health facility. These warning signs include the following:

• Failure of outpatient treatment: If therapy, medication management and other outpatient measures have proven unsuccessful in satisfying someone’s mental health issues and symptoms continue to escalate, then it may be time to consider full-time admittance into a facility that can more effectively manage the patient’s needs.
• Lack of social support: Perhaps the person lacks a supportive and stable living arrangement or does not have access to the necessary community resources or services to manage their mental health needs on their own.
• Medical concerns: In some cases, such as severe eating disorders and substance abuse disorders, there are co-occurring medical issues that benefit from specialized treatment alongside mental health care.
• History of hospitalizations: Does the individual have a history of previous hospitalizations for mental health issues? Are they experiencing a recurrence of symptoms that indicate the need for intensive, round-the-clock care? This would provide strong support for another hospitalization.
• Family concerns: Family members and caregivers often have the best pulse on the mental health of their loved one or patient. If they believe that admission to a behavioral health facility is necessary for the individual’s overall health and stability, then hospitalization should be strongly considered.

Assessing the situation

Evaluating whether someone needs to be admitted to a behavioral health facility requires a comprehensive evaluation of their mental health status and level of risk. Seek input from mental health professionals — including psychiatrists, psychologists or social workers — who can provide expert guidance and recommendations based on their clinical expertise.

You should also collaborate with other health care providers, such as primary care physicians or emergency department staff, to gather additional information and perspectives.

“For someone facing severe mental illness, there are considerable challenges both to independent living and interactions with the community at large,” said Dr. Marsha Chinichian, clinical director of behavioral health at Generations Healthcare. “Patients with mental illness often come from a background of trauma or unstable living conditions. Helping them heal is a special privilege, but care must be delivered with kindness, competence and compassion.”

Ultimately, the decision to admit someone to a behavioral health facility should be based on a careful and individualized assessment of their mental health needs, level of risk and available resources for support and treatment. It’s essential to prioritize the safety and well-being of the individual while respecting their autonomy and dignity throughout the evaluation process.

Early intervention by recognizing the warning signs and symptoms is always beneficial, followed by understanding the primary reasons for admittance and assessing the overall situation. Those facing mental illness challenges should receive encouragement to seek help and support at a facility geared toward their specific treatment.

Doug Fox is a project manager at Fullcast, a Silicon Slopes-based end-to-end RevOps platform that allows companies to design, manage and track the performance of their revenue-generating teams.

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