What will make doctors in the UK section someone?

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Or... of course, for someone to voluntarily admit themselves to a mental hospital.

I went today and told them that I can't bear my life anymore, that I'm losing it (the socket incident), and as it seems so hopeless my only option seems to be to kill myself... I said that in a passive, fearful way (so it didn't sound like a threat), but it was completely ignored.

What possibly can I do? I'm thinking of taking in a knife or a rope and say that if they don't admit me I'll kill myself in front of them... surely they can't ignore me then?

What is my problem? Is it that despite being on the very edge I still attempt, as best as I could, to utilize logic in my conversations? Should I just let loose and truly go insane?

Did they give you any recommendations?

The most practical recommendation is to refer myself to Richmond Fellowship, but that's exclusively about getting jobs and I doubt I'm sane enough to go that route now... and if I was it will just tip me over, as looking for a job is a raw nightmare.

Other than that... apparently I can see some psychologists that may possibly refer me to any other relevant agencies or charities? It was very vague, and I doubt it'll amount to anything... I've lived here for five years so if there was anything that could have really helped I suppose I would have been told of it by now. Seeing a psychologist is probably, of course, in weeks (I did suggest it and he corroborated) - there's no sense of urgency here. It's as if I can just holiday in the Bahamas for a couple of weeks until I can see someone. It's not as if I'm in the darkest depths of my mind in every single second of the day.

Some copypasta from Royal College of Psychiatrists.

Being sectioned means being admitted to hospital whether or not you agree to it. The legal authority for your admission to hospital comes from the Mental Health Act rather than from your consent. This is usually because you are unable or unwilling to consent.



The term ‘sectioned’ just means using a ‘section’ or paragraph from the Mental Health Act as the authority for your detention. A better word is 'detained'. You are detained under the Mental Health Act. The paragraph or ‘section’ number is often used so a patient may told they are on a section 2 or section 3.


How often does this happen?

The Mental Health Act is used about 50,000 times a year in England and Wales. This isn’t 50,000 people because some people may be detained several times within a year.


Why may I be detained?

If you have, or are thought to have;

1. a mental illness which needs assessment or treatment which is

2. sufficiently serious that it is necessary for

a. your health or safety, or

b. for the protection of other people,

3. and you need to be in hospital to have the assessment or treatment. And

4. you are unable or unwilling to agree to admission.

If you are on a section 3, that is for treatment, then the treatment you need must be available at the hospital in which you’re detained.


Who decides I need detaining?

The process usually starts because your GP, a family member, a police officer or psychiatrist is worried about your mental health. The decision is usually made (other than in an emergency) by two doctors and an Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP). One of the doctors must be specially certified as having particular experience in the assessment or treatment of mental illness. If possible, one of the doctors will already know you. The AMHP is usually a social worker, but could be a mental health nurse, psychologist or occupational therapist.


Who decides in an emergency?

It depends on where you are.

If you are in a public place, then a police officer can detain you and take you to a place of safety (usually a hospital or police station).
If you are already in hospital, then the clinician (usually a doctor) in charge of your care or treatment can detain you.
If you are in your own home, and refuse to let a doctor or AMHP in to see you, then a magistrate can give permission for your home to be entered without your permission and for you to be taken to a place of safety.

How long does the section last?

The assessment section (section 2) lasts up to 28 days.
The treatment section (section 3) lasts up to 6 months and can be renewed (for a further 6 months, then annually).
The emergency sections last up to 72 hours during which time arrangements must be made to assess if a section 2 or section 3 is necessary.

Have you discussed hospital with your psychiatrist in the past? What did they say? What do you hope to get out of being in hospital?

I was admitted in October last year for a pre-determined period of 2 weeks for assessment and evaluation after a period of several months during which I ended up in A&E about 9 times for severe self harm/suicide attempts. While there, I met my psychiatrist maybe 5 times, and was assessed by a psychologist (2 meetings) and psychotherapist (1 meeting). My diagnosis was confirmed and added to, and I was given meds and a referral to a group therapy programme which is finally starting next week (I am not convinced it will be helpful but I'll take what help I can get). The rest of the time, I was left to occupy myself - which for me was fine. I sat in my bedspace with the curtains pulled round colouring in or listening to audiobooks. I didn't really make any contact with the other patients. As I was noted to be a risk to myself, I had my bags searched regularly for items I might harm myself with and was not allowed off the ward unaccompanied even though I was a voluntary patient. Like I said, I spent most of my time by myself which suited me.

I know my psychiatrist was very reluctant to admit me to hospital because she felt I would not do well in that environment, even though my GP kept sending me to the hospital for emergency assessments even before my period of A&E admissions. Although we had discussed it on several occasions, I was eventually admitted after I met with my psychiatrist at an outpatient appointment after another 2 day stay in hospital due to self harm, when instead of agreeing with the psychiatrist that the environment would be difficult I told her that I couldn't see any way I was going to make any progress in my current circumstances. It then took a week for a bed to become available for me.

Like I said it was a two week semi-planned admission - a fixed end point and a fixed purpose to my admission. Was it helpful? Somewhat. It broke the cycle I was in ... I have only been in hospital for self-harm twice since then, and once for a suicide attempt. I am back attending work (though I can't honestly say I work when I am there). The discharge meeting with the psychiatric nurse gave me some ideas of what to do when I was feeling desperate (e.g. email the samaritans etc).

Right now though, I am actively suicidal. My psychiatrist was surprised by this when I saw her last week as both she and the psychotherapist (who I saw in preparation for the group therapy next week) had thought that I was doing much better. And I guess in a way I was. I have been going through the motions on a daily basis so appearances have been deceptive.

So I guess what I'm saying is that hospital offers a brief respite but it's not a quick fix. There aren't many beds in psychiatric hospital and they are mostly taken by those with serious psychotic illness.

I suggest if you haven't discussed it openly as an option with your psychiatrist that you do this.

You'll only get sectioned if you refuse to go into hospital when they advise it. Generally, this is when you are either a risk to yourself, or a risk to other people, and unable to acknowledge that and refusing to accept help. They don't want to do it, and it's always a last resort. Being inpatient is pretty tough, even if you're there voluntarily.

Someone has said this before, but there isn't many beds in a hospital and there's usually a waiting list.

I'm guessing you're UK. If you seriously think you're at risk and might do something, then either call your CMHT (Or I guess, the out of hours now on 111), or go over to A&E. They might refer you the crisis team, and they will take a while to come over. The Crisis team can admit you to hospital if that is what they believe to be best, or to other places, such as Crisis houses.

From what I've read other people say on the subject over the years, they won't section a lot of people who perhaps really should have been sectioned so a person really isn't going to be sectioned for no reason.

I'm always amazed at this. I have had three (relatively long- six weeks, eleven months and three months) admissions in a psychiatric hospital for an eating disorder and I didn't think it was severe enough for admission (or that I even had a 'real' eating disorder) but was told I would be sectioned if I didn't go in voluntarily. It amazes me that people who are actively suicidal (I wasn't- just totally spaced and detached) are not suggested admission but people with EDs are even if they don't feel they need it. Although for me, being an inpatient was more detrimental than helpful because the social aspect of it was really hard and for two of the admissions, I discharged early.

you would have to make a scene, be in a state of distress threatening to harm yourself perhaps shouting screaming ect or if you see a psychiatrist/psychologist already and say that you're going to kill yourself you have a plan ect they would have you sectioned.

i was sectioned under section 2 for the safety of other people

Since my last response to this message I have been admitted to psychiatric hospital twice more. I took a massive overdose and after a week or so recovering in general hospital was admitted to psych for four days for "respite".

I was then discharged, went down to visit my parents for a week and the day after I came back found myself sitting on the edge of a multistorey car park ready to jump. I had just decided I was ready and could do when a member of the public started trying to talk to me and before I knew the police had showed up, closed off the roads and were up thee talking to me. It had all become too public so in the end I did not jump and despite my protestations that psych hospital does nothing for me I have been here nearly a week after being brought in by the police. I have not been sectioned but have been told they may prevent me from leaving until I at least see my own psychiatrist on Monday (she is on holiday this week). What I learned from this is I am capable of jumping from the car park roof but next time I must not hang around ....just do it.