How long do you stay in a mental hospital for being suicidal, having anxiety or dealing with another behavioral health challenge? It’s one of the most common — and most important — questions people ask as they consider inpatient mental health care for themselves or their loved one. The honest answer is: It depends.
Every situation is different. Your treatment team works with you to figure out what’s best for your needs. But whether you’re facing a crisis or helping a loved one through one, understanding how inpatient care works can make the experience feel less overwhelming.
The guide below provides some details about what factors might impact the length of stay and what to expect during an inpatient mental health or addiction treatment stay.
Factors That Determine Length of Stay in a Mental Hospital for Being Suicidal
No one-size-fits-all ideal time period exists when it comes to inpatient mental health stays. Several factors help determine how long someone remains in care, including their needs, condition and progress. Factors that can impact your length of stay include:
- The severity of your crisis. If someone is actively suicidal or experiencing a psychotic episode, a longer stay may be necessary to ensure safety and stabilization.
- Your diagnosis. Some conditions, like severe depression or bipolar disorder, may require extended monitoring compared to milder or more situational challenges.
- Your response to treatment. If a person begins to stabilize quickly with the right support and medication, they may be ready for discharge sooner.
- Whether you’re admitted voluntarily or involuntarily. For example, according to data published by King County, WA, the average inpatient hospital stay for someone who voluntarily admitted themselves was 1.5 to 2 weeks. However, people who are admitted involuntarily tend to have slightly longer stays.
- Medical or substance use complications. If mental health symptoms are linked with medical issues or substance use, treatment may take longer to address all aspects of care.
- Insurance coverage and facility resources. Unfortunately, outside factors like insurance approval or bed availability can also influence how long you can stay in an inpatient environment.
Average Durations for Common Conditions
How long do you stay in a mental hospital or inpatient treatment facility for different diagnoses? Again, all the factors above impact your length of stay. However, here are some averages as published in various resources:
- Major depression. Information published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid indicates that among adult acute-care hospital stays involving a diagnosis of major depressive disorder, the average length is 6 days.
- Schizophrenia. A literature review of studies published by the National Library of Medicine indicated that average inpatient stays for schizophrenia ranged from 72 to 135 days.
- Bipolar disorder. Another study looked at the length of stay for those being treated for bipolar disorder, which was around 30 days.
Treatment Phases Within a Stay
Every inpatient mental health stay includes phases of care meant to help stabilize and support someone through treatment and, eventually, prepare them to move into life outside of 24-7 treatment. While these phases vary slightly depending on treatment type and location, they generally follow the steps below.
Intake and Assessment
Typically, this is the first step when someone is admitted. You meet with mental health and/or clinical professionals who gather information about your symptoms, medical history, medications and immediate needs. The goal is to create a personalized treatment plan as quickly as possible.
Stabilization
During this phase, the focus is on safety and symptom management. You might start medications, participate in group or individual therapy and receive support from trained staff. For those in crisis — such as someone who has suicidal thoughts — this is where things may begin to calm down. For someone dealing with substance abuse, this phase may include medical detox.
Active Treatment
Once you’re stable, your team works with you to build coping skills, identify triggers and explore the root causes of what brought you in. You’ll attend therapy sessions, learn about your diagnosis and take part in structured therapeutic activities. The exact nature of active treatment varies depending on your needs and where you’re getting treatment, but it probably will include evidence-based approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy and options like recreational therapy.
Discharge Planning
Even while inpatient treatment is ongoing, staff begin planning for your next steps. That may include setting up outpatient therapy, arranging follow-up appointments or coordinating with loved ones for support at home.
What to Expect After Leaving Inpatient
Leaving an inpatient program is a big step, but you definitely aren’t stepping into this next part of the journey on your own. Aftercare is a key part of recovery. It includes the services and support you receive after discharge, like outpatient therapy, medication management, support groups or case management. The goal is to help you stay stable and keep moving forward — and reduce the risk of another inpatient stay.
Most inpatient teams begin discharge planning early to set you up for success. They may schedule your first therapy session, help you find a psychiatrist for ongoing care or connect you with community resources. Some facilities also offer step-down programs like intensive outpatient care or day treatment.
Even with good planning, the transition can be tough. Some people feel overwhelmed, anxious or unsure about managing symptoms without round-the-clock support, and that’s totally normal. It can help to keep communication open with your aftercare providers and lean on trusted friends or family. Recovery isn’t always a straight line — but you don’t have to walk it alone.
Reach Out for Support
If you’re looking for resources for help with your journey after stepping down from inpatient care or you want to explore inpatient mental health treatment near you, we can help. Connect with the Mental Health Hotline today for assistance connecting with resources that may be right for you.
