MedStar Health: Psychiatry at MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center

Understanding crisis services

MedStar Health is here for you when same day services are needed for mental health care. Services are available around the clock, 365 days a year. There are two ways to be admitted for psychiatric crisis care: Voluntary Admissions and Involuntary Admissions.

Voluntary admissions

Individuals 18 and up needing inpatient care are admitted through the Emergency Department at MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center. There are no appointments; just walk in.

Once here, individuals are taken to a dedicated behavioral health space to receive an assessment and must be medically cleared before being transferred to the inpatient unit.

The behavioral health unit is located on the 4th floor, in a newly renovated space that offers large, double rooms and a calming atmosphere.

Our job is to provide services that help deescalate the severity of a person's distress and to use a series of care options to help get them stable enough to safely return to their community.

Our compassionate, licensed professionals offer comprehensive care including: 

• Evaluation and assessment
• Treatments with medication
• Individual and group therapy
  • Groups can include recreational therapy, nursing topics, psychotherapy, music, substance abuse awareness, etc.
• Family meetings

Patients’ average length of stay is about 5-7 days on the unit. After discharge, a planner helps facilitate aftercare within 7 days.

Involuntary admissions

This option can be used by a family member, friend, or healthcare professional when an individual is at risk of hurting themselves or others and refuses to go the Emergency Department or to accept treatment.

1. If the situation needs immediate intervention, call 911, 988 or your local mobile crisis team. When calling 911, in addition to the information that you share with the dispatcher, the police officer will observe and evaluate the individual to determine if an emergency room evaluation is needed.
2. You can also file a petition with a judge for an emergency evaluation (click to download the form). When the petition for emergency evaluation is granted, a member of the law enforcement team is contacted and will transport the individual to an emergency room for evaluation. Check the District Court of Maryland website for hours, addresses, and directions.

Prince George’s District Court Numbers:

• Hyattsville 301-699-2766
• Upper Marlboro 301-952-4080