Hospitalization, also known as inpatient mental healthcare, can help to stabilize people experiencing acute psychiatric symptoms. During an inpatient stay, physicians and other mental health professionals will establish a diagnosis and begin a treatment plan. Hospitalizations may extend for several days or longer while a patient stabilizes. At many hospitals, social workers will meet with a patient’s family to create a discharge plan to ensure patients will have a safe place to continue treatment after leaving the hospital.

To find out if hospitalization may be needed, New Yorkers can access immediate assessment, crisis stabilization, and urgent mental health support at Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Services Program (CPEP) sites in each borough:

     • Call 1-844-NYC-4NYC (1-844-692-4692) to find the
        Health + Hospitals Comprehensive Psychiatric
        Emergency Services Program (CPEP) closest to you, or
        visit NYC Well to find all CPEPs in New York City 
      

If a person is experiencing concerning symptoms and refuses to go to the hospital or participate in treatment, involuntary psychiatric assessment, which may lead to involuntary hospitalization, may be an option. If the person is conducting themselves in a manner that is likely to result in serious harm to themselves or others, there are several ways they can be assessed to determine what course of action to take:

You can contact certain medical professionals to assess the person of concern and determine the appropriate next step.

     • Speak to the person of concern’s
        existing psychiatrist or mental health provider, if they
        have one who is known to you

     • Call NYC Well to request a Mobile Crisis Team at
        1-888-NYC-WELL (1-888-692-9355), or

     • Call 1-844-NYC-4NYC (1-844-692-4692) to find the
        Health + Hospitals Comprehensive Psychiatric
        Emergency Services Program (CPEP) closest to you, or
        visit NYC Well to find all CPEPs in New York City 
 

You can file a petition for an emergency psychiatric evaluation through the court system. In New York, anyone can file a petition about someone else. You do not need a lawyer to file a petition. After a petition is filed, a judge will determine whether the person of concern is experiencing mental illness and engaging in disorderly conduct or conduct likely to result in serious harm to themselves or others. If so, the judge will issue a warrant requiring the Sheriff’s office to bring the individual of concern to the court, where they will be held until there can be a second hearing.

Depending on the results of this second hearing, the individual may then be taken to a hospital for a psychiatric evaluation:

     • To find the appropriate court closest to you, call
        1-800-COURTNY (1-800-268-7869). For more information
        on New York State court operations during the COVID-19
        pandemic, visit nycourts.gov or call the coronavirus hotline
        at 1-833-503-0447

If someone is in imminent danger to themselves or others, or needs immediate medical attention, call 911. Where appropriate, police officers and Emergency Medical Services personnel will respond and may transport someone to a hospital in an ambulance. Medical professionals at the hospital will determine whether the person of concern meets the criteria for involuntary hospitalization. 

New York City has free clubhouses that provide supportive communities for people with a history of mental illness and substance misuse. Designed to help people rejoin society and maintain their position in it, clubhouses offer mutual support from other members, professional staff support, work training, educational opportunities, and social connection.

     • To find a Clubhouse, call NYC Well at 1-888-NYC-WELL
        (1-888-692-9355) or visit NYC Well and search for
        “clubhouse”

If someone you love is experiencing a mental health challenge, it may be helpful to learn how to support your loved one while also taking care of yourself.

Support groups, facilitated by people who have experience caring for someone with a mental health condition, can offer important information and community.

NAMI NYC offers many different support groups for families and friends of people with mental health conditions:

     • Find a calendar of support groups

     • Call NAMI’s helpline at 1-212-684-3264 for
        more information

To learn more about mental illness and the support available to caregivers and loved ones of people experiencing mental illness, visit this page on NAMI's website.