Mental Health Services in Pocatello
At Portneuf Medical Center, our behavioral therapy specialists are dedicated to providing compassionate and confidential treatment for patients of all ages. Finding a balance between mental health and physical well-being is what we all strive for, and our goal is to help patients find that sense of balance to enhance your quality of life. Additionally, our team is committed to the de-stigmatization of mental illness through education, outreach and excellence in clinical care.
We provide inpatient behavioral therapy services for patients ages 18 and older who need structured, intensive counseling and therapy services. We also provide emergency behavioral health care at our emergency room (ER) for patients who are facing a mental health emergency. When you or a loved one needs exceptional psychological support delivered by a team of compassionate experts, look no further than Portneuf Medical Center.
Emergency Behavioral Health Care
A mental health emergency is a life-threatening situation in which an individual is threatening to harm themselves or others. They may be disoriented, distraught, agitated, or out of control. Other examples of a mental health emergency may include:
- Acting on a suicide threat
- Highly erratic or unusual behavior that indicates unpredictable actions or an inability to care for oneself
- Impairment due to alcohol or other substances
- Self-injury that requires immediate medical attention
- Threatening or homicidal behavior
If someone you know is experiencing a mental health emergency, call 911.
When an individual is experiencing a severe emotional crisis characterized by suicidal or homicidal behavior, it is often unlikely that they will allow someone to transport them to a hospital. In these situations, it is important to call emergency services (9-1-1) and report that someone is in danger of attempting suicide or has already engaged in life-threatening behavior(s). Emergency service personnel are highly trained to assess the situation and respond accordingly based on the severity of the situation.
Area law enforcement are trained in working with behavioral health crises, and may be part of a response team. Law enforcement has the authority to place someone in “protective custody” and transport them to an emergency room (ER) for further evaluation.
At Portneuf Medical Center’s ER, patients with behavioral health issues are assessed by attending physicians, emergency nurses, and a member of the behavioral health assessment team (BHAT). BHAT members are social workers/counselors experienced in acute mental health issues and area resources. BHAT members work with our emergency team to assess the patient and support appropriate treatment, which can include hospitalization. In addition to a mental health assessment, emergency physicians will assess the patient’s physical health to see if any physical issues may be influencing mental health symptoms.
For more information on involuntary admission to mental health care, please review Idaho’s commitment law.
Suicide Prevention Hotline
The Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline provides crisis intervention, emotional support, problem solving, and referrals to local resources for persons at risk for suicide and for those concerned about them. The suicide hotline can be reached by calling 1-800-273-8255
www.idahosuicideprevention.org
Inpatient Behavioral Health
Portneuf Medical Center’s inpatient psychiatric program is designed to return patients to their optimal level of functioning through an intensive, structured, physician-supervised program. It is an acute, short-term program for adults in need of a secure, therapeutic environment 24 hours a day. Only a psychiatrist with affiliated practice privileges at Portneuf Medical Center can admit patients to the behavioral health unit.
Patients admitted to the inpatient service have an acute primary psychiatric diagnosis whose symptoms meet with admission criteria of potential harm to self, potential harm to others, or the symptoms are creating grave disability to the patient. These symptoms may include:
- Acute depressive episode
- Acute psychiatric disorder
- Assaultive behavior
- Medication complications
- Mood swings
- Paranoid behavior
- Psychosis
- Self-injurious behavior
- Severe agitation
- Severely dysfunctional patterns of behavior
- Sleep or eating disturbances
- Suicidal behavior and/or threats
We provide a full schedule of specialized care and treatment for patients participating in our inpatient behavioral health program. You can view an example of a patient’s daily inpatient treatment schedule here.
Care is delivered in our licensed hospital setting and provides clinical intervention for acute psychiatric diagnoses. Inpatient services require admittance to the hospital where patients receive a higher level of continuous care. Our adult inpatient program is a 19 bed facility with private rooms. We provide structured care and a wide range of services to help improve your mental wellbeing.
Our inpatient behavioral health services include:
- 24-hour nursing and medical support
- Counseling services
- Diagnostic testing
- Discharge planning
- Family education and support
- Group & individual therapy
- Individualized treatment planning
- Medical management and education
- Medication management
- Psychiatric evaluation
- Psychiatric and physical assessment
- Recreational and/or occupational therapy
- Referral for follow-up services
Please note that inpatient care is not available for individuals under the age of 18. These patients should instead seek help at our emergency department.
For more information about admissions to our inpatient behavioral health program, please contact the nurses station by calling (208) 239-2571.