Free, confidential & urgent assessments are available 24/7/365 by calling the Assessment & Admissions Team at 970.201.4299

For patients, family members & other professionals

If you or the person you are concerned about are currently in treatment for a mental health condition, your/their doctor or therapist can refer directly by contacting the Admissions Team at 970.201.4299

If you or a loved one is not currently receiving treatment for a mental health condition, you may walk-in to our Psychiatric Assessment Center at West Springs Hospital, North Avenue & 28 3/4 Road, Grand Junction any time except between 4-5a, or call 24/7/365 for an urgent assessment at 970.201.4299

Admissions may be voluntary, or in some cases involuntary.

If you are seeking information on someone you believe has been admitted

A patient’s medical records, including treatment plans, are confidential and individuals have the right to control the disclosure of information about themselves. They also have the right to decide who their information can be disclosed to. Except in special circumstances, a patient must sign an authorization in order for West Springs Hospital to be able to disclose ANYTHING about a patient to ANYONE, including confirming or denying if someone is or was a patient. Listening carefully to family members may be all West Springs Hospital staff is able to do during a phone call.

Patients often change their minds and may sign an authorization one day and revoke it the next, which means that contact with family & friends could change within 24 hours.  Patients retain their right of choice even in cases where family disagrees. In cases where patients and family differ or oppose, patient rights and choices override family preferences and directives.

If you are the parent of a patient under the age of 15, or the legal guardian of a patient, you always have a right to receive information.

What I Wish I’d Known Before I Admitted Myself

by Katie Dale | Psycom.net 6.14.19
  1. Bring your best advocate with you. It may be your spouse, parent, close friend or relative—someone who knows you and is familiar with your situation.
  2. Breath. Recognize that the staff wants to help you, not hurt you.
  3. Be patient. It’s a process—here are steps to go through and paperwork to be completed

Expand to read the full list

  1. Once inside, advocate for yourself. The doctor will see you. Be honest.
  2. Your picture will be taken, and no, they are not stealing your soul.
  3. You will be in a secured unit, locked in. At times they let you out of the unit for visits or short excursions.
  4. You must earn your way out. Your behavior can hinder your release if you’re not cooperating with the staff and patients.
  5. Read your patient rights and understand them.
  6. Your personal belongings will be inventoried, so they will take out shoestrings, belts, hoodies, nail clippers, razors, and anything else deemed potentially dangerous.
  7. Don’t mind the eccentric behaviors of the other patients, they’re fighting a similar battle.
  8. Accept that the insides of the building may not be the most aesthetically pleasing. (That said, don’t concentrate on abstract paintings if they have them. Abstract art is a bad idea for psychotic symptoms).
  9. There will be a TV on at some point. The sound may seem to be calling your name. It’s not. Try to tolerate the audio-visual stimulation, but if you have to, leave the room.
  10. Be mindful of the opposite sex (or the same sex if you’re so inclined). Establish personal boundaries and adhere to them; the psych ward is not a place to start a romance.
  11. Listen to the staff and don’t give them a hard time.
  12. Be friendly and polite. There are humans here, not second-class savages.
  13. Seek out a friend and get to know some people.
  14. Read.
  15. Give yourself time and space. You are on a journey to getting better and that takes time and space.
  16. Take a photograph in your mind’s eye. Journal about it. Capture the chaotic and colorful journey. Write about it. Express yourself. Get to know who you are at this time.
  17. Be kind, regardless. Don’t expect people to respect you because a.) everyone’s imperfect and b.) they can’t respect others if they don’t respect themselves.
  18. Challenge your mind and do a puzzle, but don’t read into it—it’s just a brain exercise.
  19. Take advantage of physical activity when there’s recreation time. Your body needs a physical outlet to help process the stress your mind is going through.
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