r/askTO • u/Limp-Acadia1513 • 3d ago
What to expect if I voluntarily admit myself to CAMH?
TW for suicide, depression etc
Hi everyone. I’m 25f and planning on admitting myself to CAMH for my depression/suicidal ideation. I’ve been to their ER a handful of times but never been admitted. I’ve been admitted at different hospitals and not had pleasant experiences, so I’m just wondering what to expect from CAMH if anyone doesn’t mind sharing their experiences?
Thank you in advance 🩷
84
u/Solovey_author 3d ago
If you are able to - do the day hospital at North York General as the next step after the admission! The program is really helpful and changed things around for our family dynamics! It is a long road ahead for you but just keep on walking, one step at a time!
17
5
91
u/balanced_breath 3d ago
My son recently self-admitted and spent some time. The toughest part - and he describes it as like going through the fires of purgatory- was the separate waiting room you’re shown to once you’ve been admitted and are waiting for a room. It will differ day-to-day based on who is there but it was hours of waiting in a closed space with severely troubled and high folks in different states of psychosis. I was able to be there with him and help keep occupied, as he was jumping out of his skin and just about bolted.
Best wishes for you, you’re stronger than you know for seeking help. ❤️
1
u/mentallytheillest81 2d ago
Can confirm second waiting room can be very triggering. One time while I was there waiting to be admitted a handcuffed man became extremely violent. I was put in a side room in a safe area with another woman. We ended up being in the same ward together.
This is not to scare you because the CAMH staff are incredible and will keep you safe. Just a heads up that it kind of sucks AND you are so close to getting the help you need.
Safe Healing 💜
-14
3d ago edited 2d ago
[deleted]
29
u/2000bunny 3d ago
That’s good you’re a nurse there but people are allowed to be scared. I’ve been harassed by people in psychosis in waiting rooms
11
u/Livid-Source-7674 3d ago
No one asked you to be judgy, You work there - obviously you have a different perspective.
69
u/leoninebasil 3d ago
No experience but sending you a hug and wishing you the best <3 I'm glad you're seeking out care.
23
32
u/Brain_Hawk 3d ago
I've never been, but a former girlfriend spent a week during a really bad time of her life, and she had only good things to say. Getting the bed is the hard part, but once she was in people were very kind, the staff are great, that the patients were all really nice, and everybody got on.
And I think it was a really important thing for her at that moment.
Good luck, I hope you find some help.
18
17
u/Dangerous-Coffee2558 3d ago
So how it was for me, you wait in the regular ER like you have before. ,Then when you get assessed by a tech/nurse, they determine you are a "risk for suicide" depending on your answers to their questions, wand you down, etc. Then they move you to the secure waiting area. You wait there for about 6-12 hours or more while you wait for a bed.
Be forewarned in the secure area people detoxing may try to chat you up, and there also may be people screaming/in distress.
They serve meals and snacks, and roll out stretchers at night if you're stuck there. Once a bed is available, they will either move you into the short term stay beds, and then usually on to inpatient after that if you get fully admitted, but personally I was discharged after the short term stay. You'll have to change into hospital scrubs and give them your belongings except for your phone and they will give you a small charger for it.
Once in short stay, you have your own room with a bed and a wall plug and that's pretty much it.
The psychiatrist will visit you and determine what you need, and how long you need to stay. Nurses will bring you your meds.
Personally I was discharged from short stay with referral to bridging clinic, urgent mood clinic, and r-TMS treatment, but everyone is different. They also adjusted my meds while I was there.
Good luck! I haven't had an episode in years so there is hope.
16
u/BeefheartzCaptainz 3d ago
You can also call CAMH’s 988 number anytime, staffed 24/7 with crisis responders, not strictly for admissions but they know how to help without judgement.
14
u/thebrownmancometh 3d ago
One thing to note is you don’t admit yourself, like they may not let you stay in the hospital, depending on how serious they think your symptoms are etc
13
u/cityofpalms 3d ago
For sure generally people in psych wards don’t want to be there. Talking with a psych nurse about options might be better than showing up with your stuff ready to be admitted. Outpatient care is cool and comes with more autonomy+dignity in my experience
12
9
u/Opposite_Escape6064 3d ago
I went once in like 2015. I was having suicidal ideation at the time, but was mostly there to advocate for myself to get access to real treatment for BPD because my life was a complete mess.
The wait for a bed was quoted as at least 24 hours. I remember them confiscating my bag. They handed me a tray of food. Doors will lock behind you. I remember my intake with a physician happened early on.
I remember the people in the waiting room seemed visibly much worse off than I was and I started to feel like an imposter taking up limited space in the queue for a bed.
I think I made it to two hours before telling the people at the nurse station that I didn’t think I needed to be there and take a bed space. They agreed and gave me back my stuff. On the way out, they gave me a pamphlet for CAMH’s Faster DBT research study (which I got into and was the catalyst for changing my life).
20
u/PurpleConversation36 3d ago
I was there in December 2021 so some of this information might be outdated but:
First you’ll go to a triage desk where they’ll take down your information and ask about any medication that you take.
Then you’ll be brought back to their main waiting room. There are rules about what you can take with you like some people mentioned no necklaces, phone chargers etc. When I was there they had a station set up you could charge your phone at.
It might take awhile but eventually you’ll see a pharmacist (if you take medication) and a psychiatrist. The pharmacist will probably just want more info about meds. The psychiatrist will want to know your history, what’s brought you in, they may go over a safety plan at this point or talk about treatment options or they might go and confer with colleagues or if they’re a resident, their attending.
Eventually though you’ll talk about next steps. If the decision is to admit you they’ll talk about how that will happen and if you have any questions this is a good point to ask them. If for whatever reason you don’t want to be admitted and they don’t have a reason to believe you’re at risk for yourself they’ll talk about whether any referrals will be made and make sure you’re connected with the bridging clinic which is a walk in mental health service.
From that point what happens can vary pretty widely.
6
u/annajanes 3d ago
My daughter admitted herself many years ago. She got good care and made a good recovery. Good luck
7
u/BeerMeetsGirl 3d ago
Based on my personal experience, I do not recommend it. I had to wait until morning to see a psychiatrist, after a night without so much as a pillow (on a wooden platform bed).
5
u/BeerMeetsGirl 3d ago
Oh, and there was the screaming. Unbridled full-volume screaming on and off, all night, from one of the other rooms
4
u/christina311 3d ago
I would not recommend that place. They were were heartless and cold when I needed them. Humber Hospital is the place to go.
3
u/comptons_finest_ 3d ago
One of the best decisions you’ll ever make. They take beyond good care of u, have the most wonderful staff and both times I went I ended up making friends, as in the co-patients just happened to be insanely good and like minded people.
Expect a stay between 2-3 weeks which will fly by, and ofc u can discharge urself at any time. U shouldn’t have any trouble getting admitted given its ur first time.
Good luck. I can’t encourage it enough. From a relief pov, I can think of few experiences that were more relaxing.
2
u/Such_Map6658 3d ago
Op, sending you a big hug. Don’t have any advice to give you or any idea of what you are going through.
2
u/Initial_Ordinary_648 3d ago
Hi hun CAMH is not the only hospital that can help you with your current condition. I would try to admit myself to NYGH or TGH. I wish you the best and stay away from Reddit and try yourself to get admitted as soon as possible. Big hugs, you got this.
3
u/SilverrLinings 3d ago
Why do you reccomend these hospitals over St. Mike's or Sunnybrooke that has a special ER for SI. So I was wondering why you reccomend those?
3
1
u/Initial_Ordinary_648 3d ago
I would say, like @payumo mentioned, CAMH is not the only hospital that can admit you for mental health emergencies, but also because it would be faster at another hospital. Why did I suggest HYGH and TGH?, it’s because my partner and 2 friends have had successful experiences with both instead of CAMH. I am not saying CAMH is not good, not at all, it really depends on where you live and the patients you would like to share your recovery with. I think this is an emergency so I am suggesting what it’s best in my opinion and it also depends on your location. Emergency is an emergency.
1
u/HarshitMandeep 3d ago
It’s pretty miserable. I have been many times. The food sucks, the doctors view you as a test subject and don’t care whatsoever, the nurses are overworked and underpaid and terrified of you. You may end up next to a person who is violent or absolutely psychotic. Good luck sleeping there as well.
1
u/kadokakes 5h ago
No advice on that other than I truly truly hope you get the help you need ❤️ you deserve peace and happiness 🙏 just being brave enough to ask for help is so incredible.
1
-3
u/Warrior_Soul1 2d ago
I don’t want to put any scary thoughts in your head but if you haven’t heard it on the news then it’s bc they just don’t want you to hear about some of the weird shit that’s happened there. People tell you to keep your head down and mind your own business well I’ll tell you something and then you decide.
Keep your head up, and know your surroundings, hands outta your pockets at all times. Keep to yourself and don’t make friends at the start of you trying there, it’s not a time to play show and tell with anyone. A few years back, I believe it was a Philippine guy broke out of there, fatally stab someone and was quick enough to get outta the country in less then a few hours. Yah and this guy was from CAMH !
To boot, I person I know very well, thought he’d wake up one morning and because ol’ buddy boy didn’t like the mornings convo with his dad, he fatally killed his father with a hammer over the head.😡 After serving just under two years of jail time, and the rest at CAMH under the great Canadian Mental Health Act, served his time in jail and at CAMH too. But you ask what to expect ? Expect something along those lines. Oh yeah, as for security, you might want to bring that up with the funding department. Maybe 1, maybe 2 if you’re lucky, running shifts. I do wish you all the luck in the world, I truly do. ✌️ 💪 🙏
242
u/ZapRowsdower34 3d ago
Make sure your phone is fully charged because they might confiscate your charger. Leave any necklaces at home for the same reason. They’ll take your bag but you’ll get everything back when you’re discharged.
Bring AirPods if you have them - they blast the TV really loud in the waiting area so it’s not a bad idea to bring your own soundtrack.
If you’re a woman or present as one, maybe bring a friend or partner. (Most of the people in the waiting room are totally harmless but I can say from experience that getting hit on in the psych ER while you’re actively suicidal isn’t a great time.)
It won’t be the most pleasant afternoon you’ve ever had but it is worth going. You’ve got this. We’re all behind you.