Care setting overview
Crisis Stabilization Unit
BH-CSUBrief, recovery-oriented crisis care that addresses immediate safety and symptoms, reduces avoidable emergency or inpatient use when appropriate, and creates a workable next-step plan.
- Care model
- Short-term, high-access behavioral health crisis stabilization
- Typical pace
- Immediate engagement, continuous observation, rapid intervention, repeated reassessment, and disposition planning
- Population
- People experiencing an acute mental health or substance-related crisis who need a safe, therapeutic setting for stabilization and connection to ongoing care
Common presentations
- Suicidal thoughts, self-harm risk, severe anxiety, agitation, psychosis, mania, or abrupt functional decline
- Intoxication, withdrawal concerns, medication interruption, homelessness, interpersonal crisis, or loss of supports
- Patients needing observation and reassessment before a safe disposition can be determined
PMHNP priorities
- Identify and address medical emergencies, intoxication, withdrawal, and immediate safety threats
- Use trauma-informed de-escalation, brief treatment, peer support, and repeated risk assessment
- Arrange the least restrictive safe disposition with medications, appointments, transportation, and follow-up clearly addressed
Care team
PMHNPs, psychiatrists, nurses, crisis clinicians, social workers, peer specialists, addiction clinicians, medical consultants, emergency services, mobile crisis teams, and community providers