Behavioral Health Emergency Room

Comprehensive crisis care

As with any medical emergency, a mental health emergency can be life threatening. People experiencing a mental crisis can cause harm to themselves or others around them. In cases like these, having reliable emergency help is crucial. Get immediate emergency assistance by calling 911, and let the dispatcher know you are calling about a mental health emergency.

At University Medical Center New Orleans, our Behavioral Health Emergency Room (BHER) is built to serve up to 26 patients in need of emergency care. Our staff specialize in proactive, rapid assessment, stabilization, and treatment of patients in crisis.

The multidisciplinary team in the BHER consists of emergency physicians, emergency psychiatrists, psychiatric nursing, and social workers. The staff will help patients’ families understand potential treatment options and encourage them to participate in assessing treatment plans to determine if inpatient admission or outpatient follow up is most appropriate. With the support of families in conjunction with behavioral health staff, patients can regain control of their lives.