Crisis Units

Crisis units are facilities designed to treat a person’s symptoms of mental illness in the community. The services offered in each type of facility range from least intensive to most intensive based on the person’s needs.

Crisis Respite Unit

A crisis respite unit provides short-term crisis services in a home-like environment for people at low risk of harming themselves or others. The length of stay depends on the clinical needs of the person – ranging from a few hours to ten days. Professional staff are available to provide counseling and medication.

What Are the Benefits of Crisis Respite Services?

  • Provides an opportunity to get away from stressful situations.
  • Provides a structured and supervised setting for healing.
  • Provides short-term assistance to caregivers.
  • Prevents unnecessary admission to hospitals.

Who Is Eligible for Crisis Respite Services?

Most crisis respite services are provided to people 18 and older. Some communities have crisis respite units for people younger than 18. A state-funded mental health provider conducts an assessment and determines if crisis respite services can help the recipient and caretakers. Admission to a crisis respite unit depends on the availability of the service in your area.

Crisis Residential Unit

A crisis residential unit provides short-term crisis services in a home-like environment for people who might harm themselves or others. The length of stay may vary depending on the clinical needs of the person with the average length of stay being between six and ten days.

What Are the Benefits of the Crisis Residential Unit?

The residential unit provides services in a safe environment. Participants receive services from a team of professionals including a psychiatrist, nurse and social worker. Other services include referrals to out-patient mental health services available in the community.
Crisis residential services:

  • Provide the opportunity to get away from stressful situations.
  • Allow participants to come and go at will.
  • Provide a structured and supervised setting for healing.
  • Prevent unnecessary admission to hospitals.

Who Is Eligible for Crisis Residential Services?

Crisis residential services are provided to people 18 and older who need minimal supervision and relief from their symptoms of mental illness. A state-funded mental health provider conducts an assessment and determines if crisis residential services are needed. Admission to a crisis residential unit depends on the availability of the service in your area.

Extended Observation Unit

An extended observation unit is a place where people who are at high risk of harm to self or others are treated in a secure environment for up to 23 hours or up to 48 hours. Professional staff are available to provide counseling and medication services.

What Are the Benefits of Extended Observation Services?

  • Prevents unnecessary admission to hospitals.
  • Provides a safe and supervised setting for healing.

Who Is Eligible for Extended Observation Services?

Extended observation unit services are offered to anyone 18 or older who needs acute mental health treatment.

Crisis Stabilization Unit

A crisis stabilization unit is designed to treat symptoms of mental illness for those who are at high risk of admission to a psychiatric hospital. Treatments such as counseling and medication are provided in a secure environment with a stay of up to 14 days.

What Are the Benefits of Crisis Stabilization Unit Services?

  • Prevents unnecessary admission to hospitals.
  • Provides a safe and supervised setting for healing.

Who Is Eligible for Crisis Stabilization Unit Services?

Crisis stabilization unit services are offered to anyone 18 or older who needs help stabilizing symptoms of mental illness.

How Do I Get Crisis Unit Services?

To get services or a referral: