Before You Leave
the Hospital
You have the right to ask the doctor or another health care worker for written information about your child’s diagnosis and what to do next. You will be handed after care instructions, they should be explained to you and you can ask questions.
Release from the Emergency Room
Based on your child’s evaluation, the medical team will determine the level of care needed and next steps. Your child ay be sent home, or referred to a community-based program for longer-term support or moved to an inpatient or residential setting.
You have the right to:
- Ask for written information about your child’s diagnosis and next steps.
- Ask for a second opinion.
- Read the hospital’s discharge or release policies.
- The emergency room can feel overwhelming, and you may hear a lot of new information.
- It is okay to ask questions if you do not understand or if something does not feel right.
Questions to Ask the Emergency Room Staff:
For the doctor of nurse:
- When will a psychiatrist or behavioral health professional complete a mental health assessment?
- Can I or has my child signed a release of information form so providers can talk with others, such as primary care doctor, therapist, or school?
- Has a full suicide risk assessment been completed? What were the results?
- What possible diagnoses are being considered, and what treatment options are available?
- What type of care is needed next?
- Will my child be admitted to a hospital, or residential care?
- Will my child need medication? How long will they need to take it?
- Should I carry naloxone in a case of an opioid overdose? How do I use it, and where can I get it?
- What can I do to help keep my child safe? What warning signs should I watch for?
- What should I do, who should I call, if another crisis happens or if I feel one is building?
- How might I talk with my child moving forward? Are there questions I should or should not ask?
- What supports are available while we wait for treatment or services?
Family Support Specialists are parents or caregivers who have lived experience raising a child with behavioral health challenges. They are trained and certified to help other families understand systems, find resources, and speak up
for themselves.
In some areas, Youth Support Specialists are also available. They are trained young adults with lived experience who support youth through recovery. Ask your provider or a Family Support Specialist how to connect with one.
Going Home
If your child is going home, you should receive a written plan that includes after-care, safety steps, and how to set up follow-up services.
This will include:
- A safety plan created with the person who completed the mental health assessment, your child, and you or another caregiver.
- Safety precautions, including how to lock up, remove, or make safe anything that could be used in a suicide attempt. This includes firearms, medications, alcohol, drugs, ropes, chemicals, and sharp objects.
- Information on how to care for your child after a suicide attempt or mental health crisis.
- A follow-up appointment scheduled within the next week, if possible. This may be with a therapist, doctor, or community-based team.
- Prescriptions for any medications, if needed. Try to fill the first prescription before leaving the hospital or as soon as possible. Ask about side effects and what needs immediate attention.
- Connections to peer support or other community-based support, such as a Family Support Specialist for you or a Youth Support Specialist for your child.
Be Sure You Can Answer These Questions Before Leaving
- How should I act with my child once we are home?
- What warning signs should I watch for?
- What should I do if I think my child is becoming unsafe?
- What is the plan if my child feels unsafe again?
- Who does my child want involved in next steps?
SEE THE SAFETY PLAN SECTION FOR MORE INFORMATION
If you say you cannot take your child home because of safety concerns,
Child Protective Services (CPS) may be contacted. If this happens, do your
best to stay calm.
CPS does not want to take custody of a child when there is someone who
can safely care for them. You can ask CPS staff to help you work with the
emergency room team to create a safety plan. You can also ask for a social
worker, patient advocate or you can call the Reach Out Oregon parent
support warmline, Monday through Friday between 10am and 4pm and ask
the Family Support Specialist to help you think through next steps.
FAQs
When I take my child to the Emergency
Room for a mental health crisis, will they
be admitted to the hospital?
Not always. Decisions on what happens next are taken by medical professionals based on their assessment of medical necessity.
Many children and youth who go to the emergency room for mental health care are not admitted to a psychiatric hospital bed or to psychiatric residential treatment. This is because the medical team does not assess them to have medical necessity for a higher level of care. This can be frustrating and upsetting for parents and caregivers.
The Emergency Room team will:
- Check for medical emergencies.
- Ask about safety and thoughts of self-harm or harm to others.
- Decide if your child can go home safely with support, or if a higher level of care is needed.
In Oregon, admission usually happens only if there is an immediate danger and no safe plan for going home. Long waits for psychiatric beds are common and not your fault.
Is there anything I should bring to the
EmergencyRoom for a mental health
crisis?
If you can, bring:
- A list of medications.
- Your child’s insurance card.
- Comfort items for your child or youth.
- A phone charger.
- Notes about recent behaviors or concerns.
If you forget things, that is okay. Your child can still be seen.
If they keep my child overnight in the
Emergency Room, do I have to stay?
Many hospitals insist that a parent or caregiver stay, but this depends on the hospital and situation.
If you cannot stay:
- Ask what options are available.
- Ask how your child will be supervised.
- Ask who to contact overnight if there are concerns.
If staying is unsafe or not possible for you, say so.
Will insurance cover a mental health emergency visit?
In Oregon, most insurance plans, including Oregon Health Plan (OHP), cover emergency mental health care.
Coverage can vary, but emergency evaluations are generally covered. you can ask the hospital billing office or social worker for help understanding costs.
What can I do to stay calm while we’re in the Emergency Room?
Being in the emergency room with your child is very hard. To help yourself stay calm, try:
- Slow breathing, such as breathing in for four seconds and out for six seconds.
- Stepping outside for a moment, if allowed.
- Asking staff to explain what will happen next in clear, and simple language.
- Calling a trusted person or 988 for support.
- Calling the Oregon Family Support Network Parent Warmline, Monday through Friday between 10am and 4pm.
You deserve care and support too.