When one goes to the ER for mental health crises in America, I'm not sure they can get more than a script for benzodiazepines and a printout of psychiatrists, many of whom are full or have months-long waits. (If not admitted, of course.) I seem to recall either @meanmaryjean or @annemc2 having psych nurse experience, maybe they can tell us more.
A few (very few) large medical centers have specific Psych ERs. But mental health services are so woefully underfunded in this country (and it's not just the US). The last decade has seen an increase in the number of Psych NPs - which is helping but nowhere near meeting the actual need in terms of numbers and sustainable workforce.
