A young person alone and looking down at the ground.

Treatment in hospital

If your child needs to stay in hospital to receive treatment for their mental health, this is sometimes called being in ‘inpatient care’.

If your child is in hospital, or is going into hospital soon, you may be feeling incredibly worried and upset. At the same time, it might feel like a relief to know your child is where they need to be to get help and feel better. However you’re feeling, remember that for lots of people, going into hospital is a key step in their recovery.

Navigating the hospital and different professionals involved in your child’s care can feel overwhelming sometimes. Here we answer questions about what will happen in hospital, how you can find information, raise questions or concerns, and how you can support your child.

I found having a child in inpatient care a very intense, stressful and frightening time. It doesn't mean your child will be 'fixed', but it can be a turning point.
Parent

How will my child get admitted to hospital?

In general, your child with either be admitted to hospital as an 'informal patient' or 'under section'.

The clasped hands of two people talking seriously.

What will happen during my child's time in hospital?

I had so many questions all the time and sometimes I felt like a nuisance asking. Then I was reminded by a kind nurse that she expected me to forget things I'd been told. She encouraged me to come back and ask again any time. Don't be scared to ask questions, no one expects you to take it all in the first or even the third time.
Parent

How involved will I be in my child’s care and treatment?

The professionals at the hospital will try to work as collaboratively as possible with you and your child. This includes making time for regular conversations with you and arranging meetings at times when you are able to attend, if your child would like you to be there. You will also be able to regularly visit and speak to your child.

Navigating the way a hospital works and talking to professionals can feel overwhelming at times. Remember that you are still your child’s parent. You have important information and expertise that will be part of helping them get better.

The ways in which you are involved and the way decisions are made will depend on your child’s age, their own views on involving you in certain decisions, and the sort of treatment they’re being offered. This can sometimes feel like a very complicated area to get to grips with. If you’re feeling unsure about how you will be involved in your child’s care, get in touch with their care coordinator or ask another member of staff to talk it through with you.

These are some common questions parents and carers often have:

I realised that I was part of the inpatient team trying to help my daughter recover. I might not have had the clinical expertise that the inpatient team had, but I had to learn how I would care for my daughter when she came home. Realising this allowed me to get as involved as I could.
Parent

How can I support my child while they’re in hospital?

The responsibility of caring for a suicidal child is immense. When I went to hospital, they handed over that responsibility to people who seemed more able to handle it. They also described feeling guilty for feeling relieved; they felt slightly like they were giving up as parents. But this was a part of parenthood that most parents don’t ever have to face.

Voicing your views, raising concerns and making complaints

No one is more invested in your child's recovery than you. If you're not sure your child is getting the care they need; trust your instincts and ask for more help.
Parent

Supporting your child when they leave hospital

Looking after yourself

Supporting and advocating for someone who is very unwell and staying in hospital can be exhausting at times, and can start to affect your mental health too. Some parents in this situation tell us they feel like they’re firefighting all the time, and it’s often an incredibly stressful and worrying time.

It might feel difficult to think about taking time out for self-care right now, but it’s still important to think about the support network around you as well as the one around your child.

Take a look at our tips for looking after yourself below.

  • Lean on trusted friends and family

    Say ‘yes’ to offers of help – whether it’s venting to a friend, having a meal cooked for you or having someone help out with your other children so you can have a break or make a hospital appointment.

  • Talk to your employer about flexible working

    This can help you to make space for visiting your child and going to appointments. You could also think about parental leave, or ask what your work can offer in terms of discretionary leave. Find out more about your leave entitlements.

  • Take a moment for yourself when you can

    Even if it’s something simple like eating a proper meal or watching something on TV, try to give yourself a moment to rest.

  • Call the Samaritans anytime on 116 123

    You can call Samaritans any time you need to talk - and sometimes it helps just having someone there who can listen to what you’re going through.

  • Find support services for yourself

    This could be finding counselling or therapy through your GP, a local charity, or privately if this is an affordable option for you.

  • Find out more about self-care

    For more advice on looking after yourself as a parent, take a look at our guide.

Work out what self-care looks like for you. It's not always about having a hot bath or going to the cinema. Although it can be those things, it might also be giving yourself some time to read over or prepare some notes for a meeting the next day, allowing you to sleep better.
Parent

Useful helplines and websites

While we take care to ensure that the organisations we signpost to provide high quality information and advice, we cannot take responsibility for any specific pieces of advice they may offer. We encourage parents and carers to always explore the website of a linked service or organisation to understand who they are and what support they offer before engaging with them.

  • YoungMinds Parents Helpline

    We support parents and carers who are concerned about their child or young person's mental health. Our Parents Helpline provides detailed advice and information, emotional support and signposting.

    You can speak to us over the phone or chat to us online.

    You can speak to us over webchat between 9.30am and 4pm from Monday-Friday. When we’re closed, you can still leave us a message in the chat. We’ll reply to you by email in 3-5 working days.

    Opening times:
    9.30am-4pm, Monday-Friday
  • POhWER

    Provides mental health advocacy services, and information and advice about advocacy - including for children and young people in inpatient care. 

    Opening times:
    8am - 6pm, Monday to Friday
  • The Advocacy People

    Free advocacy services, including for people staying in hospital to receive treatment for their mental health.

  • National Autistic Society - Inpatient Service

    Advice and support for autistic people who have been detained in a mental health hospital, or are at risk of being detained, and for their families.

    Contact them using this online form, and someone will be in touch to offer support.

  • Mind Legal Line

    Provides information and advice on mental health law, including being detained, mental capacity, community care and discrimination and equality.

    Opening times:
    9am - 6pm, Monday to Friday (except for bank holidays)
  • The Scottish Law Centre

    Provides legal advice on children’s rights and child law across Scotland - including around issues such as parent contact, education, health, social work and confidentiality. 

    Opening times:
    9.30am - 4pm, Monday - Friday
  • Children's Law Centre (Northern Ireland)

    Free legal advice and information for children, young people and parents in Northern Ireland. Covers topics such as mental health law, family law and education law. 

  • NHS 111

    To get urgent mental health advice from the NHS, call 111 and select the mental health option. 111 will tell you where you can get help. They may also be able to put you through to a trained mental health professional over the phone.

    111 can support anyone who is feeling unsafe, distressed or worried about their mental health. They can also give information and advice about what to do if you're worried about someone else.

    If you would rather get help online, you can use 111 online.

    Opening times:
    24/7
    111
Patient Information Forum Trusted Information Creator (PIF TICK) logo

This page was reviewed in January 2023.

It was created with a parent or carer with lived experience of supporting their child or young person around inpatient care.

We will next review the page in 2026.

YoungMinds is a proud member of PIF TICK – the UK's quality mark for trusted health information.