Yes, you can visit urgent care for your mental health. However, it’s important to keep in mind that these care facilities shouldn’t be used in an emergency and can’t provide long-term mental health solutions.

Urgent care services are often used as a form of “bridge care,” which is where an individual can get support for urgent health needs to prevent symptoms from worsening and becoming an emergency. This can help reduce the number of emergency room (ER) visits.

Urgent care facilities can support your physical and mental health when it is not an emergency. They are typically walk-in centers, so you won’t need an appointment to see a healthcare professional.

Remember, your mental health is just as important as your physical health. You are not wasting anyone’s time by asking for mental health support.

Read on to learn when you should visit an urgent care center for your mental health, what support options are available, and what to expect when you get there.

If suicidal thoughts are surfacing, you should call 911 or seek emergency medical support.

If you’re having thoughts of suicide, you’re not alone.

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An urgent care center can provide mental health support when it is not an emergency. This can include:

  • feeling distressed and being unable to manage your symptoms by yourself
  • needing an urgent medication refill for a mental health condition
  • experiencing mild panic attacks that aren’t going away
  • having trouble sleeping or managing your stress
  • experiencing worsening mental health symptoms

When should you visit the emergency room (ER) instead?

If you feel as though your mental health symptoms are severe or life threatening, you should call 911 or visit the ER instead of urgent care. This can include:

  • having thoughts of suicide
  • experiencing visual or auditory hallucinations, or paranoia
  • feeling as though you may harm yourself or someone else
  • experiencing severe panic attacks that affect your ability to breathe and are not going away
  • experiencing severe withdrawal from substances, such as opioids or alcohol, and having uncontrollable reactions that put yourself or others at risk

Visiting urgent care for a mental health emergency can feel overwhelming and intense. You may find it difficult to think clearly and find the words to explain how you’re feeling.

It can be helpful to begin by explaining why you’re there and the symptoms you’re experiencing. You can then share any risks you are worried about and mention any support options you think may be helpful. It’s OK if you’re unsure of exactly what help you need. Sharing that you feel unsafe or unwell and that you would like to talk with someone is enough.

The following phrasing examples may help:

  • “I am experiencing [a panic attack or severe anxiety], and I can’t manage it on my own. It’s affecting my ability to breathe, and I need help right now.”
  • “I haven’t been able to sleep properly for several nights, and it’s beginning to affect my mood and daily functioning. I need mental health support right now.”
  • “I’ve been feeling really sad and hopeless, and I’m having thoughts that are worrying me. I don’t feel safe, and I need to talk with someone.”
  • “My mental health symptoms are worsening, and I don’t know how to manage them by myself.”

Requesting urgent care on behalf of a loved one

If you’re attending urgent care as a support person alongside a loved one, you can advocate for them to receive mental health support by:

  1. Explaining who you are in relation to the individual and that you are speaking on their behalf, as they are in crisis.
  2. Describing the symptoms you have noticed or what they have shared with you.
  3. Clearly sharing any potential risks and asking for urgent help.

When you arrive at urgent care, you can typically expect the following:

  1. Checking in: Upon arrival, you’ll be asked to provide information about yourself, such as your name, contact details, and health insurance details if applicable.
  2. Evaluation: A healthcare professional, such as a nurse, will then ask you some questions about why you’re there and what symptoms you’re experiencing. It’s OK if you find yourself unable to explain everything. Just share what you are most comfortable with and what you think is most important for them to know.
    • They may also perform a physical test to rule out any underlying conditions.
  3. Treatment plan: After evaluating your symptoms, a healthcare professional can recommend an immediate support option, such as a coping strategy or medication refill, or if needed, they may refer you to emergency care or crisis intervention.
  4. Next steps: Before you leave, you’ll be given information about your next steps, such as any follow-up appointments.

When visiting urgent care for your mental health, a healthcare professional may be able to provide immediate support to address any symptoms you are experiencing or refer you to crisis intervention if your symptoms are more severe.

Common treatment options include:

  • refilling or adjusting medication, usually a short-term, limited dose
  • referring you to a mental health professional, such as a therapist
  • speaking with you about coping strategies if you are experiencing symptoms like anxiety or stress
  • providing crisis intervention for more severe, emergency symptoms, such as suicidal thoughts or hallucinations

While an urgent care center can provide mental health care, it’s important to keep in mind that it can’t provide long-term mental health solutions.

When visiting urgent care for your mental health, a healthcare professional may be able to provide immediate support to address any symptoms you are experiencing, such as talking with you about coping strategies or refilling medication. They can also refer you to crisis intervention if your symptoms are more severe.

If you feel as though your mental health symptoms are life threatening, you should call 911 or visit the ER instead.