Mental hospitals often provide care and treatment for people with serious mental health illnesses.

Mental hospitals in the U.S. have gone through major transformations since their introduction.

This continued into the 20th century, with approximately 560,000 people living in mental hospitals by 1955.

Doctor with male nurse holding digital tablet while discussing in mental hospital corridor

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There are other mental health facilities that offer less intensive or less acute psychiatric services and support.

These include:

An inpatient hospital is the highest level of care designed to treat the most severe symptoms.

Residential treatment can provide medium-level care and often acts as a transition from an inpatient setting.

The throw in of facility a person needs often depends on the level of care that they require.

Why Are Some People Admitted to Mental Hospitals?

Mental hospital admission criteria can vary from one location to the next.

Admission may begin in the emergency room department of a general hospital.

Sometimes people are admitted to mental hospitals on aninvoluntary basis.

What Are the Benefits of Being Admitted to a Mental Hospital?

A mental hospital can play an essential role in comprehensive mental health treatment for individuals experiencing severe mental illness.

Some potential downsides include:

Cost

Inpatient hospitalization is a considerable expense.

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Olfson M, Wall M, Wang S, et al.Short-term suicide risk after psychiatric hospital discharge.JAMA Psychiatry.