Partner Agency of

 

Mental Health America  Virginia

EMERGENCY MENTAL HEALTH CONSULTATION SERVICES 

Lynchburg General Hospital/Emergency Department

1901 Tate Springs Road

Lynchburg, VA 24501-1167

434/947-3033

The Emergency Mental Health Consultation Services are dedicated to providing high quality care for persons in crisis. Services are available twenty-four (24) hours a day for people involved in potentially life-threatening and/or dangerous situations. Upon arriving at the Emergency Department the patient will be evaluated by a nurse and a physician and then will be referred to a mental health consultant. Mental health consultants are psychologists, nurses, counselors, and social workers. A psychiatrist is on-call as a resource to the mental health consultant and Emergency Department physician.

The consultant evaluates the patient, speaks with significant others and considers the individual’s social situation.  Then recommendations and arrangements are made for the most appropriate care whether it be for outpatient or inpatient treatment.

In addition to self referrals, the Emergency Department at Lynchburg General Hospital receives and assesses all Emergency Custody Orders and Temporary Detention Orders in Central Virginia who are brought by police or the sheriff’s office. All clients are advised of their legal rights, including legal procedures if needed.

A fee for the mental health consultation is added to the bill for emergency services. Most group or individual insurance plans will cover the cost in full or in part. No one is refused treatment by Emergency Mental Health Consultation Services because of inability to pay.

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Emergency Custody Order (ECO)

Criteria:

Probable cause to believe that by reason of mental illness the person is in

• Imminent danger to self or others

• Substantially unable to care for self

• Incapable or unwilling to go for an evaluation

Time Limits:
 

• 4 hours (4 hours from time of issue and then 4 hours to be evaluated by a mental health professional.)

Authority:
 

• Magistrate upon sworn petition of a responsible person

• Upon his own motion

• Law enforcement officer

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Temporary Detention Order (TDO)

Criteria:

It appears based on mental health evaluation that

• The person is mentally ill and in need of hospitalization

• Person is in imminent danger to self or others as a result of mental illness

• Person substantially unable to care for self due to mental illness

• Incapable or unwilling to go voluntarily for treatment

Time Limits:

• 48 hours (extended to 72 or 96 depending on  weekend or holiday).

Authority:

• Magistrate after evaluation by employee of the Community Services Board or designee

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Mental Health America of Central Virginia
1010 Miller Park Square
Lynchburg, VA. 24501
phone: 434-847-9055     fax: 434-847-3600