Announcing 24/7 Easy Admissions – Because Crises Do Not Happen 9 to 5
Crisis does not follow a 9-to-5 schedule – neither do we.
Mental health crises often happen at night for several reasons. Factors may include intoxication, nighttime anxiety or depression, secretive eating or purging, lack of daytime distractions, circadian rhythm disturbances, lack of empathy or argumentativeness from family members, or even the need to urinate (alcohol is a diuretic). Nocturnal anxiety makes everything seem more problematic. Likewise, anxiety is worse during the night or early morning hours because there are fewer distractions. Thoughts turn inward. Family members are disturbed. Arguments or soul-searching may occur when everyone is vulnerable, overwhelmed, and less willing to mince words.
Announcing 24/7 EZ Admissions at Sanford Behavioral Health
However, nighttime or weekends can present an opportunity for an individual to seek help that they may talk themselves out of during the daytime or workweek, which is why we created 24/7 EZ Admissions. Sanford’s CEO, Tracy Rogers, says, “When I forwarded the concept of 24/7 EZ Admissions at Sanford, I understood it would be a challenge. There was the inevitable branding and outreach to let people know we’d be more available. We would also need to add staff to our admissions team, hire a night-on-call admissions nurse, and refine our scheduling. However, in the mental health world, crises often happen at night. I intuitively knew that a human answering phones 24/7 was an empathetic and efficient way to address these crises.”
Who is 24/7 EZ Admissions For?
24/7 EZ Admissions is for an individual who is feeling alone and isolated in their addiction, eating disorder, or mental health condition. EZ Admissions is also suitable for families and hospital emergency departments who may be seeking a detox center. We have found that having a real person answer the phone during off-hours can provide an incentive for individuals to obtain help. Rebecca Wolfslau, LPC, Sr Director of Strategic Growth, says, “When we answer the phone at off hours, most people say, ‘Oh my God, someone has answered the phone!’ They have been calling and getting answering machines. What everyone is looking for is a human to listen to and witness their struggles. EZ Admissions is the answer for desperation.”
How Does it Work?
- The first step is to pick up the phone and call.
- A human will answer the phone within 2 to 3 rings.
- Often, our admissions specialists listen more than they speak.
- We give you space to share why you are struggling.
- We provide a brief assessment to determine the type of help you need.
- Usually, being “heard” de-escalates the crisis.
- If necessary, we provide a wellness check to ensure your safety and well-being.
- If Sanford Behavioral Health is not the right fit for any reason, we help you find the right direction.
- When a caller is intoxicated, we facilitate transportation.
- In the moment, we run insurance information (through a 24/7 insurance company portal) and receive an estimated cost.
- If everything aligns, we will bring you in for treatment, regardless of the day or time of year.
What Types of Calls Do We Get?
We asked Rebecca Wolfslau, LPC, what types of calls she has answered in the middle of the night, and she provided us with three examples.
1. A party or another event where an incident occurs.
At about 2:00 a.m., a young individual called from a party. They were intoxicated on alcohol and cocaine. Someone at the party informed them that they had a problem, and they wanted to discuss whether it was true and what they should do about it. Sanford’s 24/7 availability means we are there when motivation is highest. Had this individual not reached a real person, they might have gone on to injure themselves, others, or talk themselves out of asking for the much-needed help in the morning.
2. A family member calls because of an argument or emotional outburst.
The phone rang at 1:00 a.m., and a spouse called to say their partner had relapsed and was drinking again. They expressed shame, guilt, and hopelessness for both individuals in the couple and were seeking reassurance. The Sanford team worked with them into the early morning. They not only provided positive information on relapse and recovery, but were also able to admit this person before noon the next day.
3. An overnight “therapy” session.
An intoxicated individual called at 10:00 p.m. to “confess” that they were drinking again after four months of sobriety. Rebecca says, “This person was looking for a witness to their struggles: someone to hear them and listen to them. I stayed on the phone for an hour.” Even if an individual is not ready to seek help, a knowledgeable and empathetic voice can be the catalyst needed to make a change in the future.
If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, eating disorders, or mental health conditions, please don’t wait to change your life for the better– click the link below to speak with an admissions specialist today. 24/7 EZ Admissions – talk to a real person, get an assessment, and start treatment 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
