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Going to the Emergency Room for Mental Health Crises Social Stories

Overview

This series of social stories provides visual guides on what it is like to go to the ER or an inpatient psychiatric mental hospital for a mental health crisis. The social stories are also available in short, animated videos.

A man sitting in a chair with his hands on his head.

Sometimes I may feel very sad, or angry or anxious.

A man sleeping in a bed.

I may not want to get out of bed or go to school or work.

A man sitting in a chair with his head in his hands.

I may have thoughts about hurting myself or someone else.

A man sitting in a chair talking to a woman sitting with a laptop.

If I feel like this or have these thoughts for many days, I should tell a trusted adult like a therapist, parent, counselor, staff, teacher or friend.

A woman touching the arms of a man.

They can help me get help for my thoughts and feelings.

A cartoon rendering of an emergency department.

If my thoughts and feelings get worse, I may need to go to the Emergency Department for help.

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A cartoon rendering of an emergency department.

When I get to the emergency room I will need to check in at the desk.

A checklist next to a nurse.

A nurse will ask questions to see what kind of help I need.

A thermometer.

The nurse will take my temperature and blood pressure.

A waiting room with a couch.

I may need to wait in the waiting room.

A waiting room with three people.

There may be many people in the waiting room with lots of noises.

A woman with a worried expression.

If there are too many people or too much noise I can ask for a quiet place to go.

A cartoon rendering of a bed and a chair.

I may go into a room that just has a bed and a chair in it.

A cartoon rendering of a door.

They may lock the door to the room to help me stay safe.

A man and a woman.

My family, staff or a trusted adult can stay with me in the room.

A woman standing next to a doctor.

I will talk to different doctors and nurses about the thoughts and feelings I’m having.

A cartoon rendering of pills.

The doctors and nurses may give me medicine to help me feel better and relax.

A cartoon rendering of an emergency department.

I may need to stay in the hospital for a few days to get more help.

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An arrow pointing from an emergency department to a building.

After being in the emergency room I may need to stay in the hospital or go to a different hospital to get more help.

A man standing next to a doctor.

This is called an inpatient psychiatric hospitalization.

A room with a lamp and a chair.

I may go to therapy sessions a few times a day to talk about my thoughts and feelings.

A cartoon rendering of a pill and medicine bottle.

Doctors may prescribe medication to help me feel better.

A phone and laptop covered by a red X.

The hospital will have rules I need to follow. I may not be able to keep my phone or laptop with me.

A man standing in the center of the image.

After a few days or weeks when I am feeling better, I will be able to leave the hospital.

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Animated Social Stories

Going to the Emergency Room for a Mental Health Crisis


In the Emergency Department for a Mental Health Crisis

Inpatient Psychiatric Hospital Stay

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Other downloads

Name Description Type File
Going to the ER Going to the ER pdf Download file: Going to the ER
In the ER In the ER pdf Download file: In the ER
Inpatient Psychiatric Hospital Inpatient Psychiatric Hospital pdf Download file: Inpatient Psychiatric Hospital

This information was developed by the Autism Services, Education, Resources, and Training Collaborative (ASERT). For more information, please contact ASERT at 877-231-4244 or info@PAautism.org. ASERT is funded by the Bureau of Supports for Autism and Special Populations, PA Department of Human Services.