How to get semi-urgent psychiatric care in Los Angeles?
January 9, 2015 12:58 PM Subscribe
Family member has just arrived in town and is expressing the need for psychiatric care. How to accomplish this quickly in Los Angeles?
Jane Doe is diagnosed manic/depressive but hasn't had a full-blown episode in years, nor has she been on meds or receiving therapy. This was always her choice.
Now she's arrived at my home under a state of high stress from a disastrous turn her life has taken. Weepy, slightly manic, vaguely mentioning suicide (but no specific plans, and I don't think she'd qualify for a 5150 based on my experience trying to get her in the system years ago). Has Obamacare insurance but hasn't paid her most recent premium, so I'm not sure what that means.
Until recently, she tells me, she has been smoking pot 24/7 to self medicate. Now she has stopped. I don't want to encourage her to restart for several reasons, one of which is that I have my own personal reasons for not allowing pot smoking in my home.
But she's saying "I want to be medicated. I want to feel better. I want therapy."
What is the best/quickest way to get help in Los Angeles? East San Fernando Valley specifically.
Jane Doe is diagnosed manic/depressive but hasn't had a full-blown episode in years, nor has she been on meds or receiving therapy. This was always her choice.
Now she's arrived at my home under a state of high stress from a disastrous turn her life has taken. Weepy, slightly manic, vaguely mentioning suicide (but no specific plans, and I don't think she'd qualify for a 5150 based on my experience trying to get her in the system years ago). Has Obamacare insurance but hasn't paid her most recent premium, so I'm not sure what that means.
Until recently, she tells me, she has been smoking pot 24/7 to self medicate. Now she has stopped. I don't want to encourage her to restart for several reasons, one of which is that I have my own personal reasons for not allowing pot smoking in my home.
But she's saying "I want to be medicated. I want to feel better. I want therapy."
What is the best/quickest way to get help in Los Angeles? East San Fernando Valley specifically.
Best answer: I just called NAMI on a neighbor's behalf. I have a lot of resources and info for you, but I'm mobile right now and will update shortly.
Call county hospital USC. They have or know of a mobile crisis unit that can come to your place within 6 hours and do an assessment.
Across from USC Hospital a place called Exodus on Morengo Street was highly recommended to me. Sorry no clicky right now.
More info in an hour. Good luck.
posted by jbenben at 1:30 PM on January 9, 2015 [3 favorites]
Call county hospital USC. They have or know of a mobile crisis unit that can come to your place within 6 hours and do an assessment.
Across from USC Hospital a place called Exodus on Morengo Street was highly recommended to me. Sorry no clicky right now.
More info in an hour. Good luck.
posted by jbenben at 1:30 PM on January 9, 2015 [3 favorites]
Southern California Counseling Center. You can call them and ask if there are any alternatives specifically in the San Fernando Valley.
posted by phaedon at 1:38 PM on January 9, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by phaedon at 1:38 PM on January 9, 2015 [2 favorites]
I know a couple of people who have spoken highly of their own med-change/crisis stays at Glendale Adventist. Bipolar was specifically involved in at least one of those.
posted by Lyn Never at 1:43 PM on January 9, 2015
posted by Lyn Never at 1:43 PM on January 9, 2015
I'll second the Southern California Counseling Center. They were very good to me (for non-urgent psychological help) both in terms of the treatment they provided and their sliding pay scale.
posted by carsonb at 1:44 PM on January 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by carsonb at 1:44 PM on January 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
The LA County Dept of Mental Health has a 24 hour hotline - 1-800-854-7771. I've never called, but the website says it provides " free, confidential mental health information, referrals to service providers, and crisis counseling".
posted by insectosaurus at 1:49 PM on January 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by insectosaurus at 1:49 PM on January 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
If she's talking about suicide and in crisis, she needs an MD (psychiatrist) right now, not a new therapist. She can get a therapist later. I would call the county 24-hour hotline; they can help you triage and discuss options.
posted by jaguar at 2:02 PM on January 9, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by jaguar at 2:02 PM on January 9, 2015 [3 favorites]
Best answer: The number that insectasaurus provided was the one I was about to give.
They have a mobile program called ACCESS where they come out and do onsite evaluations if there is a crisis and you want the person specifically evaluated for services or a psych hold (the best thing for someone in crisis.)
In an emergency call 911 and be very specific that it is a mental health crisis. You can't request service directly, but DO tell responding officers you want them to call the LAPD Mental Health Evaluation Unit to get guidance on assessing your friend.
I'm hoping Exodus (or similar) or an Emergency Room is helpful, and ACCESS or calling 911 won't be necessary. Good luck.
posted by jbenben at 3:06 PM on January 9, 2015
They have a mobile program called ACCESS where they come out and do onsite evaluations if there is a crisis and you want the person specifically evaluated for services or a psych hold (the best thing for someone in crisis.)
In an emergency call 911 and be very specific that it is a mental health crisis. You can't request service directly, but DO tell responding officers you want them to call the LAPD Mental Health Evaluation Unit to get guidance on assessing your friend.
I'm hoping Exodus (or similar) or an Emergency Room is helpful, and ACCESS or calling 911 won't be necessary. Good luck.
posted by jbenben at 3:06 PM on January 9, 2015
Best answer: I just got off the phone with Exodus - they are a walk-in clinic open 24 hrs a day, they can evaluate and prescribe meds or hospitalization. The doctor is not on duty overnight, however.
They are across the street from LA County Hospital, 323-276-6400.
They are very nice. They also have two West Side facilities.
posted by jbenben at 3:16 PM on January 9, 2015 [4 favorites]
They are across the street from LA County Hospital, 323-276-6400.
They are very nice. They also have two West Side facilities.
posted by jbenben at 3:16 PM on January 9, 2015 [4 favorites]
Best answer: Confirmed Exodus can give her meds on the spot, up to one month supply.
posted by jbenben at 5:04 PM on January 9, 2015
posted by jbenben at 5:04 PM on January 9, 2015
Response by poster: Bless you all. This is super helpful.
posted by BlahLaLa at 6:13 PM on January 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by BlahLaLa at 6:13 PM on January 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: I best'ed the Exodus answers because that's the place we tried. They're awesome. For anyone who needs this info in future: as of now the downtwon location is the only 24/7 walk-in. Best to go early in the day as the doc leaves at the end of the day. It is only for people with no insurance, but if that's you, they'll have you see a social worker, and a psychiatrist, will give you meds (and a ride to the free pharmacy if you need it) and a referral to a place nearer your home, if needed, where you can get regular therapy. We were referred to the Hollywood location where we were able to get a psychiatrist appointment about 2.5 weeks from now.
posted by BlahLaLa at 3:07 PM on January 13, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by BlahLaLa at 3:07 PM on January 13, 2015 [2 favorites]
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Northridge looks like a good bet:
Northridge Hospital Medical Center offers a comprehensive behavioral health program for adults and adolescents. They are the only hospital in the San Fernando Valley that provides hospital psychiatric services. They have a variety of programs to meet the needs of the community.
There are four levels of psychiatric health: 1) psychiatric counseling, 2) outpatient program, 3) partial hospitalization, and 4) inpatient hospitalization.
Psychiatric counseling is a great need in every community and people do not always know where to start. This program has a dedicated department that offers referrals to psychiatrists and therapy services in the community.
The outpatient program is for those that need more than just traditional counseling services. Individuals participate in extensive daily group therapy sessions and return home daily. This allows them to get the structured intensive therapy that is sometimes needed.
The partial hospitalization program is considered a bridge between the outpatient program and an inpatient hospitalization stay. This is a program that is available for an individual that is having a crisis and can’t handle going to work and daily life activities and needs the program support and additional psychiatric services. This is an alternative to being an impatient.
Inpatient hospitalization is available for those that can’t stay at home and need to be in a secure and safe environment. The hospital has a 40 bed inpatient behavioral health unit. These beds are reserved for individuals that can’t function in a normal environment. The patient will receive expert support from clinical specialists and this will help improve their lives and contribute to their recovery.
For more information, contact Northridge Hospital Behavioral Health Services at 818-885-5484. A crisis counselor is available 24 hours a day/7days a week.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 1:05 PM on January 9, 2015 [2 favorites]