Horizon Health Crisis Stabilization Units

Assessment and Diagnosis in Mental Health Crisis Treatments

Horizon Health can help your emergency department (ED) establish a separate behavioral health Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) as an entry point within the hospital. To offset patient overflow, this specialized unit helps certain patients (often those with more severe mental health needs) be evaluated and stabilized quickly.

CSU’s offer 24/7 care for patients who may be experiencing a psychological crisis. The goal is to provide around-the-clock care, stabilize the patient and get them back into the community as efficiently as possible.

Another level of intensive care for mental health patients

In any emergency department, a CSU can represent quality, consistency of care and commitment towards behavioral health recovery. Some units are freestanding buildings, whereas others are embedded in or attached to hospital EDs and other facilities.

CSU capabilities may include:

• Care coordination and medical health assessment
• Peer support and group engagement
• Trauma-informed behavioral health approaches
• Address co-occurring addiction and mental health issues
• Exit plan for returning to outpatient or community-based care

3 Steps to Managing a Crisis Stabilization Unit

Horizon Health offers different crisis stabilization models of care, which help serve the unique needs of mental health patients. All crisis facilities should be able to provide care that is recovery-oriented and focused on helping the patient return to community-based and outpatient care.