Hospital treatment for mental illness

Hospital admissions for mental illness

While assessment and treatment for mental illness generally occurs in the community, some people may need to get treatment or care in hospital. This can be at an authorised mental health service, which are hospitals or health services authorised under the Mental Health Act 2016.

Admission to a mental health service is usually only needed for people who need intensive help and support to manage their mental illness. The aim is to help people return to the community with the right level of support to manage their recovery.

For most people, admission to a mental health service is planned between themselves and their doctor or mental health care specialist. For others, it can occur if a person in a mental health crisis requires immediate treatment and needs to be admitted to hospital to assess and manage risk and alleviate distress.

Admission to an authorised mental health service may be voluntary or involuntary.

Whether a person needs involuntary admission under the Mental Health Act 2016 depends on:

• whether they are able to consent to treatment
• their needs and levels of distress
• how serious their symptoms are
• the risk of harm to either themselves or others.

Assessment and treatment plans

If you're admitted to an authorised mental health service, your doctor and treating team will do a thorough assessment of your needs. The assessment involves getting information from you, and where appropriate, your family, carers, and any health care providers about your:

• mental state
• risk of harm to yourself or others
• past mental health history
• physical health
• alcohol and drug use
• personal and social history
• social situation
• strengths and goals.

The assessment will help you and your treating team develop your treatment, care planning and recovery including ways to:

• manage and improve your mental health
• identify early warning signs and develop strategies to prevent relapse
• set goals you want to reach in your social, emotional, physical and spiritual life.

The types of treatment you may get in hospital will depend on your needs but can include:

• therapies to manage psychological symptoms and emotional distress
• medicine
• support to address any alcohol or drug problems
• help to manage activities of daily living such as personal hygiene, domestic tasks, budgeting and cooking
• support to address physical health problems
• education about mental illness
• support for families and carers
• discharge planning and support to help you manage in the community.

Involuntary treatment and treatment authorities

In some cases, a person's mental illness may stop them from recognising that they require help or an admission to hospital. It may be appropriate for the person to be assessed and treated without their consent.

The Mental Health Act 2016 sets out the rights of people who are treated involuntarily under a treatment authority.

Learn more about being treated under the Mental Health Act 2016.