People often associate going to the emergency room (ER) with treating physical emergencies; however, it is important to know that the ER is also equipped to treat mental health emergencies.
One of the most common mental health conditions treated in the ER is severe depression which requires immediate care.
Severe cases of depression should be taken as seriously as any other physical, life-threatening health condition, especially when an individual is expressing the desire to harm themself or others, or is experiencing thoughts of suicide.
Depression should also be treated as an emergency when:
- A person who has been diagnosed with clinical depression has an acute change in their mood that persists for weeks
- A person is unable to care or has stopped caring for themself
- There are new symptoms presenting such as psychosis, hallucinations, mania, or delusions
If you or anyone you know is experiencing a mental health emergency, call 911 right away. If there are concerns about suicide, you can also contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or call, text, or chat 988.
All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.