
Crisis Stabilization Units (CSUs) are small inpatient facilities that provide short-term, extensive therapy for people experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis. CSUs aim to provide a safe, secure, and therapeutic environment for individuals whose needs cannot be met safely in residential service settings or emergency rooms. They serve as an alternative to costly, overcrowded emergency rooms and reduce the need for arrests and imprisonment. CSUs typically have 16 or fewer beds and may admit patients on a voluntary or involuntary basis, depending on the situation and the patient's level of risk.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of beds | 16 or less |
| Type of patients | People in a mental health crisis |
| Type of admission | Voluntary or involuntary |
| Environment | Safe, secure, less restrictive than a hospital |
| Duration of stabilization | 23 hours to 7 days |
| Treatment | Clinical, medical, recovery-oriented, individual treatment plan |
| Goals | Stabilization, quick reintegration into the community |
| Services | Telephone, walk-in, mobile crisis, short-term residential treatment, 23-hour CSU, psychiatric hospitalization |
| Purpose | Alternative to emergency rooms, jails, costly treatment |
| Assessment | Danger to self, others, or gravely ill |
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What You'll Learn

Mental health or substance use crisis
Crisis Stabilization Units (CSUs) are small inpatient facilities with no more than 16 beds for people experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis. These crises occur when a person's behaviour changes in a way that puts themselves or others at risk of harm or an inability to function normally in daily life. CSUs provide a safe, secure, and less restrictive environment than hospitals or jails for those who need immediate, in-person treatment. They are often considered an alternative to emergency rooms, providing short-term, intensive therapy to stabilize individuals and get them back into the community quickly.
CSUs offer a range of services, including behavioural health screening and assessment, counseling, medication management, and connecting people to community-based resources such as housing. They may be designed for voluntary or involuntary admission, depending on the individual's needs and the specific CSU. Some CSUs are freestanding, while others are attached to hospitals or emergency departments. The length of stay can vary, with most individuals stabilized within the first 23 hours, while some may require up to several days or a week.
The Living Room Model is a type of CSU that provides a home-like, calming environment for immediate relief of crisis symptoms. It is different from 23-hour CSU units as it offers more intensive treatment for those who need more time to resolve their crisis. Observation units within CSUs provide thorough supervision and regular assessments to manage patient safety and find appropriate interventions.
Crisis Stabilization Services include telephone lines, walk-in services, mobile crisis teams, short-term residential treatment, and psychiatric hospitalization. These services aim to provide early and timely support to individuals in crisis and divert them from jails and emergency rooms. They are often considered a better alternative for law enforcement officers responding to mental health or substance use crises, as they provide a safe place for individuals to receive appropriate care and resources.
The development of CSUs and crisis stabilization services is gaining momentum, with increased funding and bipartisan support. This expansion is filling a gap in emergency crisis services for mental health and substance use disorders, providing effective suicide prevention, and reducing healthcare costs. Standard classification systems for facility-based crisis services are needed to ensure individuals are matched to facilities that can meet their unique needs.
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Short-term, intensive therapy
Crisis Stabilization Units (CSUs) are small inpatient facilities for people experiencing a mental health crisis. CSUs are designed to admit patients voluntarily or involuntarily, providing a safe and secure environment that is less restrictive than a hospital or jail. The main goal of a Crisis Stabilization Unit is to stabilize the person in crisis and get them back into the community quickly. CSUs provide clinical, medical, and recovery-oriented treatment through a person-centred approach to address immediate needs.
The duration of short-term, intensive therapy in a CSU can vary depending on the individual's needs. Most individuals are stabilized within the first 23 hours, while those requiring more extended stabilization may stay for up to several days. During this time, individuals receive an individualized treatment plan based on their specific needs. This may include a range of services such as assessment, case management, counseling, medication management, stress management counseling, and linkage to community-based services.
The Living Room Model is a unique approach to short-term, intensive therapy. It involves walk-in respite centres that offer a home-like environment, providing immediate relief from crisis symptoms. This model emphasizes peer collaboration, where individuals with similar experiences work together to assist with symptom relief. The Living Room Model is particularly suited for those who need more than 24 hours to resolve the issues that brought them into crisis.
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Safe, secure environment
Crisis Stabilization Units (CSUs) are designed to provide a safe, secure, and therapeutic environment for individuals in need of urgent care for mental health issues, substance use disorders, or both. These units aim to offer an alternative to hospital emergency rooms, inpatient psychiatric units, and jails, providing a less restrictive setting. CSUs typically have 16 or fewer beds and may admit patients on a voluntary or involuntary basis.
The safe and secure environment of a CSU is characterized by several key features:
Observation and Supervision
CSUs often include observation units where individuals in crisis are closely monitored and supervised. Regular assessments are conducted to evaluate the individual's condition and determine appropriate interventions. This thorough supervision helps manage patients' safety and provides a foundation for stabilization.
Emergency Protocols
CSUs have well-defined emergency protocols in place to manage individuals at risk. When a person encounters a dangerous situation, immediate interventions are executed to maintain safety. Treating experts can issue emergency certificates for involuntary commitment, facilitating smooth and timely interventions to protect the person and others from potential harm.
Multidisciplinary Treatment Team
CSUs provide a multidisciplinary approach to treatment, involving healthcare professionals such as nurses, licensed mental health professionals, psychiatric nurse practitioners, and psychiatrists. Additionally, the Living Room Model, a type of CSU, incorporates peers with similar experiences to collaborate directly with clients, offering a unique perspective to treatment.
Individualized Care Plans
In a CSU, each individual receives an individualized treatment plan based on their specific needs and medical necessity. This plan may include a range of services such as assessment, case management, counseling, medication management, stress management, and referrals to community-based services.
Community Integration and Discharge Planning
The goal of a CSU is not only to stabilize the individual but also to facilitate their reintegration into the community. CSUs work to connect individuals to appropriate community-based resources and specialists to ensure ongoing support after discharge. This includes referrals to housing, social services, and community mental health services.
The safe and secure environment of a Crisis Stabilization Unit is maintained through a combination of careful observation, emergency protocols, multidisciplinary collaboration, individualized care, and community integration. These measures work together to protect individuals from harm, provide timely interventions, and promote sustainable recovery.
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Individual treatment plans
Crisis Stabilization Units (CSUs) are small inpatient facilities for people in a mental health crisis or with a substance use disorder. CSUs are designed to admit patients on a voluntary or involuntary basis when they need a safe, secure, and less restrictive environment than a hospital or jail. The main goal of a CSU is to stabilize the person and reintegrate them into the community as quickly as possible. Most individuals are stabilized within the first 23 hours, while those requiring extended stabilization may stay for up to a week.
CSUs provide clinical, medical, and recovery-oriented treatment through a person-centered approach to address the immediate needs of each individual. An essential component of this approach is the development of an individual treatment plan based on medical necessity. These plans are tailored to each person's unique needs and may include a range of services such as:
- Individual and/or family counseling and support: This may involve psychotherapy or talk therapy to help individuals process their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. It can also include family therapy to improve communication and resolve conflicts within the family system.
- Medication management and administration: CSUs may prescribe and monitor psychotropic medications to help manage symptoms associated with mental health disorders. This ensures individuals receive proper medication management during their stay.
- Stress management counseling: Individuals in crisis often experience high levels of stress and anxiety. Stress management techniques, such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or mindfulness practices, can be taught to help them cope with stressful situations more effectively.
- Mental illness/substance abuse awareness and education: Education plays a crucial role in empowering individuals to understand their mental health or substance use disorder. CSUs may provide information about the signs, symptoms, and available treatment options to promote self-awareness and informed decision-making.
- Identification and development of natural support systems: CSUs often connect individuals to community-based services and support groups. This may include referrals to housing, income support, or other social services to address social stressors that impact mental health.
- Peer support: Some CSUs incorporate the Living Room Model, which provides a home-like environment where peers with similar experiences collaborate directly with clients. This peer support can offer a sense of community and understanding, fostering a sense of belonging and hope during recovery.
The specific services offered by CSUs can vary across different jurisdictions and facilities. However, the underlying principle of CSUs is to provide timely, person-centered care that stabilizes individuals in crisis and connects them with the necessary resources for ongoing recovery and community reintegration.
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Observation and supervision
Crisis Stabilization Units (CSUs) are inpatient facilities for people experiencing a mental health crisis. CSUs are designed to admit patients on a voluntary or involuntary basis, providing a safe, secure, and less restrictive environment than a hospital or jail. The goal is to stabilize individuals and reintegrate them into the community quickly. CSUs offer short-term, intensive therapy, typically resolving crises within 23 hours, with a maximum stay of one to five days for those requiring extended stabilization.
Assessment and Analysis
Crisis response professionals conduct an initial evaluation of the individual in crisis. They assess the person's mental health condition, identify risks, and determine the severity of the situation. This comprehensive assessment helps develop an appropriate care plan.
Security or Safety Planning
Based on the assessment, a tailored security plan is created and implemented to safeguard the individual and others from potential risks. This may include involuntary commitment if the person meets specific criteria, such as being a danger to themselves or others.
Regular Supervision and Assessments
Individuals in observation units receive continuous supervision and regular reassessments. This close monitoring ensures their safety and helps professionals intervene promptly if any concerns arise. The supervision also enables the treatment team to track the individual's progress and make any necessary adjustments to the care plan.
Stabilization Focus
The observation unit aims to stabilize individuals by addressing their mental health crisis. This involves providing the necessary tools and resources to manage their symptoms, improve their condition, and promote recovery. The supervision aspect ensures that individuals receive the support they need to navigate their crisis effectively.
Crisis Resolution
The observation and supervision process continues until the individual's crisis is resolved. This may take more or less time depending on the person's unique situation. The goal is to provide intensive treatment and support during the crisis and facilitate a smooth transition back to the community.
Community Reintegration
Once an individual is stabilized, the focus shifts to reintegration into the community. This may involve referring them to community-based specialists, such as outpatient programs or support groups, to continue their recovery journey and prevent future crises.
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Frequently asked questions
Crisis stabilization is a short-term, extensive therapy that aims to stabilize individuals facing a mental health or substance use crisis. This includes those at risk of harming themselves or others, those experiencing severe symptoms of mental health issues, or those in need of immediate support and intervention.
A Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) is a small inpatient facility with no more than 16 beds for people experiencing a mental health crisis. CSUs may admit patients on a voluntary or involuntary basis, providing a safe and secure environment that is less restrictive than a hospital or jail.
Individuals in a mental health or substance use crisis who are a danger to themselves or others, or are gravely ill, may be admitted to a CSU. Those with severe symptoms of risk may be involuntarily committed by a treating expert who can issue an emergency certificate.
CSUs provide crisis stabilization services such as behavioral health screening and assessment, counseling, medication management, and connecting people to community-based services. They offer an alternative to emergency rooms and imprisonment for those in need of urgent care, with the goal of stabilizing individuals and reintegrating them into the community quickly.
Crisis Stabilization Services offer early and timely support to individuals in crisis, providing a safe and therapeutic alternative to hospital emergency departments, inpatient psychiatric units, and jails. They are also more cost-effective than psychiatric inpatient units and have higher client satisfaction.

























