Children, youth, and families in need of crisis care have many ways to get the help they need. This page is a guide on what types of care they can get during a crisis. What is a crisis? Any time a child, youth, or family cannot handle a mental, emotional, or substance problem. What that looks like for you will be different than someone else. You get to decide if you need help. Making the right choice about what to do can be hard. Below is an overview of acute care services to help you make that choice.
If you, or someone you care about, is experiencing a mental health or a substance use crisis, please call or text the NH Rapid Response Access Point at 1-833-710-6477 for a NH response. Visit Beacon of New Hampshire (nh988.com) for more information.
NH Rapid Response Access Point and Rapid Response Teams
A 24 hour service for any child, youth, or family in crisis. They have people who can talk with you or come to see you in person.
Crisis Operators will direct you or your loved one to resources, offer support, or will dispatch a Rapid Response Team if needed. Sometimes the Rapid Response Team or the Access Point will refer to an Emergency Department based on you or your loved one's needs.
When do I call NH Rapid Response Access Point?
Call, text, or chat with the Access Point for in the moment support of any behavioral health problem that is not life threatening.
Emergency Departments
All local Emergency Departments are equipped to respond to a crisis and can connect children and families with other services they need – like inpatient treatment at Hampstead Hospital.
Providers will direct you to resources, offer evaluation, and provide medical care.
Sometimes they can make referrals for inpatient treatment to Hampstead Hospital and Residential Treatment Facility based on you or your loved one's needs.
When do I call 911 or go to the Emergency Department?
Call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room with any behavioral health problem that is life threatening or requires immediate medical attention or treatment.
Hampstead Hospital and Residential Treatment Facility
Some crises cannot be safely taken care of at home. At those times inpatient treatment may be needed to help your child. Hampstead Hospital and Residential Treatment Facility will work together with the Rapid Response Teams and/or the Emergency Department to determine if hospitalization is appropriate for you or your loved one.
How do I get my child or youth admitted for inpatient treatment?
Either the Rapid Response Teams or a local emergency department can make referrals to Hampstead Hospital and Residential Treatment Facility for inpatient behavioral health treatment.
Additional Resources
- NAMI-NH has resources for family members with a child/loved one in a hospital emergency department waiting for a psychiatric bed. Visit the NAMI-NH Emergency Department Wait Resources page for more information.
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