What would you do if a close friend needed to go to hospital?

Question

because he/she is mentally unstable and a danger to themselves, but they refused to go to hospital.

Answer 1

It's so hard when someone is dealing with major personal issues.
Whether it's drugs, eating disorders, or plain psychosis, unless that person is truly willing to change and do something about, there's not a lot you can do.
That's why people hold interventions. It gets all their loved ones in one room at one time and forces them to evaluate their harmful situation and what the next step should be.
It's usually an ultimatum. Like, walk out of this room today and we won't be there to support you; or please choose to get help today b/c we love you and don't want you to harm yourself any longer.

Answer 2

Call the authorities and ask for the "mental services" cops...specific ones trained to evaluate the situation, my city has them, I don't know if your city does. The only way your friend can be admitted to a psych hospital is if they are ACTUALLY a danger to themselves or others...it has to be rather obvious. My advice is to intervene, if your friend was in the correct state that is what they would want for themselves in order to get back on track--just make sure that you are sure as per the guidelines above. Good luck, I know this is a hard time.

Answer 3

that's a pretty deep question,I am guessing by mentally unstable and danger to themselves you mean suicidal, if it is a close friend take them somewhere away from people like to a sleepy beach town or out to the mountains so you to can be alone and talk and have some fun so he/she starts to think people actually cares about them, but if its past this stage i recommend having an intervention where someone from a ward comes and confronts them and talks them into taking them away. They may be angry at you but do you prefer that or for them to do something silly. Good luck darl : )

Answer 4

It depends on your relationship to that close friend, and also what’s causing their mental instability. If they need someone to confide in, you can always be there for them. If it’s a family issue, or abuse issue, there are other places that they can go, besides the hospital. If you guys talk a lot, let them know how you feel. Sometimes all it takes is one close friend to make life happier. Tell them you’ll go with them, or call someplace together. Hey, also…I read a different post of yours and would love it if you would e-mail me, because I suffer from the exact same symptoms, and I could really use a buddy to relate to..

Answer 5

Not a lot of information.....How is she a danger to herself? What is she doing that is endangering herself?

If she is in need of hospitilisation and she is that far gone that she will not listen to anyone, then you cannot force her to go. If you think its serious enough, then call the ambulance, they can assess the situation and if need be, they can call the police who will forceably take her to get some treatment. Ambulance officers are fantastic people and in the majority of cases they seem to have the empathy to get people with problems to go with them.

You, personally cannot do anything, you cannot physically take her to the hosptial because she would probably cause a scene. Ring the Ambulance if you are really worried about her, they can go to her place, and if they really think there is a threat they will call the police. It may sound drastic, but if she is going to kill herself and you think she is serious, or if she is going crazy hurting herself, then these drastic measures have to be taken to ensure her safety, but more so to ensure she actually lives to have a future.

Answer 6

How are they a danger to themselves? If you can be specific and state that your friend has verbalized plans of harming self or behavior which has already harmed self, then you can call the law and they will take her to a 3-day hold in a hospital.

Answer 7

Its really fantastic that you care enough about your friend to ask this question

I would find out who his or her doctor is and book yourself in to talk with them about the concerns you have with your friend if it is a serious matter where you believe that they may do self harm then your going to need to not only let the mental health know in your area but the police as well .. I believe they still have the power to hold people for 72 hours ... which is surely enough time for a doctor to be called in ...

Best of luck to you ..and I think your wonderful for caring so much ..they ( your friend ) will to one day ...

Answer 8

This is a tough one. I tried to get my best bud to go to the psych ward for help, even just to talk to a psych nurse. She was suicidal, I went to the hospital to ask them what I had to do to get her help, They basically said that she was the only one who could ask for help! You could try getting him/her to go to her GP with you, but chances of them stepping in and helping him/her are kinda slim, but it's worth a shot. Or you could call the Suicide Help Line 1300 651 251 (I got this number about a year ago so I hope it's still current). In the end I was pretty much on-call 24/7 for her and things sorted themselves out.
Good Luck!!

Answer 9

I'd talk to the police. If it's urgent they can bring the person to the hospital for a 72 hour hold.

Answer 10

Please do not tell them that they are being transported to hospital.
Talk to them Lovingly, affectionately, cojole them, understand them, take them in confidence. they are unstable try to bring them around. They will certainly protest to go over hospital. Take them out daily. Then one day to Psycologist. Then to hospital. Be with them. Never leave them alone. First they will not listen to u,
u too dont talk actions should prove everything. Never argue with them. Give MILD sedation. Let them go to bed. Talk to them while sleeping. That will help in getting u in their confidence.