Inpatient Mental & Behavioral Health Care

Many mental and behavioral health conditions can be treated on an outpatient basis, but sometimes a higher level of care is needed. MultiCare offers hospital-based care (also known as inpatient care) for adolescents and adults experiencing a mental health crisis. This type of emergency can happen to anyone, whether they have a diagnosed condition or are receiving outpatient care in the community.

A person experiencing a mental health crisis may pose a danger to themselves or others. They may be unable to properly care for themselves, or they may threaten or attempt self-harm.

Some common reasons people may need hospital-based care include:

• Severe depression
• Delirium (a significant change in a person’s mental state)
• Psychosis symptoms, such as delusions or hallucinations
• Suicide attempts or plans
• Severe manic episodes (emotional highs associated with bipolar disorder)
• Behaviors associated with dementia or other cognitive impairments that compromise safety

MultiCare’s hospital-based programs are designed to support safety and comfort while providing stabilizing treatment. Hospital-based care often consists of comprehensive psychiatric evaluations, one-on-one counseling, group therapy, medication management, therapeutic group activities and more. Your treatment plan will depend on your individual situation, diagnosis and the type of services available at your location of care.

A variety of professionals such as psychiatrists, advanced registered nurse practitioners, registered nurses, social workers, therapists and others will work together to support you during your inpatient hospital stay. Our goal is to help you return to the community, transition into a lower level of care, such as outpatient counseling, and sustain your journey to better health. Learn more about our inpatient programs below or find out how to access inpatient care.

Adolescent inpatient care

Adolescent inpatient care is available at MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital — the first and only inpatient program in Pierce County specifically for teens 13-17 experiencing a mental health crisis. This facility is designed for brief stays of seven to 10 days, with the goal of transferring teens to ongoing outpatient therapy as soon as it is safe to do so. Learn more about the adolescent inpatient unit at Tacoma General Hospital.

Adult inpatient care

MultiCare provides inpatient psychiatric care for adults at three locations: MultiCare Auburn Medical Center, Navos and Wellfound Behavioral Health Hospital.

Auburn Medical Center. The 20-bed Adult Behavioral Health Unit at Auburn Medical Center specializes in providing care for those 18 and over experiencing depression, thoughts of self-harm, psychosis or other severe behavioral health concerns. Learn more about the inpatient unit at Auburn Medical Center.

Navos. A 70-bed hospital in West Seattle, Navos provides inpatient care for adults in crisis. Navos accepts referrals for admission through King County Crisis and Commitment Services. Learn more about Navos.

Wellfound Behavioral Health Hospital. This 120-bed hospital located in Tacoma is jointly owned by MultiCare and Virginia Mason Franciscan Health. It provides short-term hospitalizations for those 18 and over who have a psychiatric condition or are experiencing a mental health crisis. Learn more about Wellfound.

Yakima Memorial Hospital. The 30 bed 1 North Behavioral Health Unit at Yakima Memorial Hospital specializes in providing care for those 18 and over experiencing depression, thoughts of self-harm, psychosis, or other severe behavioral health concerns.

Geriatric inpatient care

Auburn Medical Center has two units that specialize in inpatient care for adults 60 and older. The Memory Wellness Unit provides treatment for those who have dementia, or a similar cognitive impairment, and are displaying behaviors that prevent them from residing in their current environment.

Our Emotional Wellness Unit treats older adults who have anxiety disorders, depression, thoughts of self-harm or psychosis. Learn more about these units.

The Yakima Memorial Hospital 1 North Unit also provides treatment for adults 60 and older who have anxiety disorders, depression, thoughts of self-harm, depression, dementia, or a similar cognitive impairment, and are displaying behaviors that prevent them from residing in their current environment.