Adventist Health Vallejo - Inpatient Psychiatric Services

The inpatient behavioral health services program at Adventist Health Vallejo is designed to help adolescents who are experiencing symptoms of anxiety, depression or mania or may be experiencing altered thought processes. They may be unable to care for their needs or at risk of harming themselves or others. Our inpatient unit offers a safe, nonjudgmental environment where care is delivered with compassion and respect.

We provide the right therapeutic settings to meet people’s unique needs. The center also offers an outdoor patio where people can enjoy the fresh air and sunshine, when appropriate.

Expert, personalized care and support

Upon admission, each person undergoes a multidisciplinary assessment to ensure that treatment is structured to meet their needs. Through psychoeducational training and focused activities, we help people develop skills to manage their acute symptoms and begin the healing process.

Our team draws from a wide range of therapies and techniques to create a treatment program that meets each person’s individual needs, including:

Individual, group and family therapy
Symptom management and coping skills development
Activity and occupational therapy
Stress management and relaxation techniques
Medications and medical stabilization

Inpatient mental health services staff includes psychiatrists, registered nurses, social workers, occupational therapists and other mental health specialists. Our patient-satisfaction surveys consistently include positive feedback about our dedicated, compassionate professionals.

At discharge, each person will receive an individualized aftercare plan that’s been designed by the treatment team.

Active therapeutic programs

By providing appropriate activities, patients get a chance to take their minds off the situation at hand and focus that energy into something positive and productive.

Some of these activities include:

Group therapy sessions focused on mental health issues
Age appropriate group games and activities
Educational groups focused on ways of coping with problems that contributed to hospitalization
Groups focused on the development of social and communication skills
Education and group therapy focused on chemical dependency and addictive behaviors
Education classes taught by a trained special education teacher
Art, movement and play therapy sessions
Family group sessions offering information and support
Family therapy sessions

Emergency assessments

Our psychiatric nurses are available to perform emergency assessments 24/7. To refer someone for hospitalization, call (707) 648-2200 and ask to speak to a psychiatric emergency services nurse about a potential admission.

If you or the person you’re concerned about is having suicidal thoughts, or if someone poses an immediate physical threat, call 911 immediately.

Psychiatric holds

When a family member or friend is behaving dangerously or inappropriately due to uncontrolled mental illness, ensuring the safety of your loved one and others is a top priority.

There are a few types of psychiatric holds that are only used under certain circumstances that can help your loved one get the help they needs, including:

72-hour hold (5150): A legal document that authorizes holding people against their will for evaluation and treatment of mental health conditions if they pose a danger to themselves or others or are gravely disabled.
14-day hold (5250): Patients may be held longer than 72 hours if the psychiatrist believes they need continued treatment and are unwilling to stay voluntarily. The 14-day hold can be discontinued by a psychiatrist before 14 days if the person agrees to stay voluntarily or is no longer in an acute crisis.
Certification review hearing: A hearing that’s conducted by a court-appointed hearing officer to determine whether someone needs to continue hospital treatment or can be released from the hold and discharged. Patients are represented by a patients’ right advocate.
Temporary conservatorship: When someone needs long-term treatment, a psychiatrist can request a temporary conservatorship for 30 days for being gravely disabled. If the request is approved, the county appoints a conservator who’ll be responsible for the person’s living arrangements, financial and legal matters, and medical and mental health treatment.

Program admission

If you or someone you know is experiencing a psychiatric emergency, it’s critical to get expert help as soon as possible. Adolescents admitted to the inpatient program are referred by their doctor or therapist or are admitted following an assessment in the emergency room. Occasionally, patients are transferred to us from other facilities.