Crisis Service Page

The Department of Psychiatry provides crisis services to make sure that you receive appropriate and effective interventions during psychiatric emergency situations. Our crisis services are available from 9:00am until 5:00pm, Monday through Friday. Our crisis services are designed specifically for the intervention of psychiatric emergencies only. Any medical emergencies should be directed to the Hayward Kaiser Medical Center Emergency Room located at 27400 Hesperian Boulevard, or by dialing 9-1-1. Any psychiatric crisis that occurs after hours, or during the weekend, is handled by the Regional Psychiatric Call Center.

It is strongly recommended that you call before coming in to avoid any unwanted charges, payments, or extended waiting time.

Crisis evaluations are different than a routine appointment with a therapist. Typically, crisis evaluations are brief, and are performed to determine if more intense psychiatric treatment is required, such as hospitalization or participation in our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP). While every patient needing urgent care will be seen, cases of a more severe nature will be attended to be based on priority; it is not necessarily “first come, first served.” Therefore, it is possible that you may find yourself waiting as long as 1 or, in rare circumstances, 2 hours before you are seen, especially if you do not call ahead of time. If your current symptoms and/or situation is something that can wait until the next appointment with your therapist, the next crisis group, or even something that can be addressed over the phone, we recommend you follow up with those options.

The Adult Psychiatry Crisis/Drop-In Group meets every Wednesday, from 3:30pm – 5:00pm. The Crisis Group is a drop-in, on-going support group for clients in crisis who need support and constructive feedback. The group is typically for two types of clients – 1) those who are new to the department and waiting for the first appointment with a therapist in the department or, 2) those needing support and feedback in addition to other services received at the clinic ([ i i.e.] needing support in between visits with the therapist). The format of the group is structured so that each participant of the group has the opportunity to share the issues that are facing them and receive support and feedback. The size of the group is generally small which allows for each participant to have an adequate time to speak.

Please be aware members who enter our clinic after 4:30pm for crisis may be transferred to the Hospital Emergency Room for further evaluation and safety concerns. People transferred to the hospital from our clinic for psychiatric emergencies will often not be allowed to drive themselves. If this transfer is deemed necessary, you may be charged for any ambulance fees incurred as a result of transfer. It is therefore recommended that in the event of a psychiatric emergency occurring after 4:30pm, you proceed directly to the Emergency Room and not the Psychiatry clinic.

Return to Summary of Adult Psychiatry Services