There are times when a person becomes so ill that they are at risk of hurting themselves or others and hospitalization becomes necessary even though the individual does not wish to enter a hospital. While seeking help voluntary is always preferable, if that is not at all possible, the decision to hospitalize involuntarily can be more caring than it seems if that is the only way your family member or friend can get the care they need, especially if there is a risk of suicide or harm to others. The following resources can be used to help you find Inpatient or Residential Mental Health treatment services should there be a need for this type of treatment. Hospitalization may be needed to allow for a period during which the individual can be closely monitored to provide the accurate diagnosis, to help adjust or stabilize medications, or during an acute episode where a person’s mental illness temporarily worsens.