Behavioral Health & Substance Abuse Admissions

Saint Simons By-The-Sea provides level of care mental health assessments 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Walk-ins are welcome, but we encourage individuals needing help, their loved one and/or their healthcare provider to CALL US FIRST at 1-800-821-7224. We can help determine the most appropriate level of care needed and options available here or elsewhere.

Programs & Services at Coral Shores Behavioral Health

Assessment Process

Once a potential patient arrives to our hospital, an Admissions staff member will meet with the individual 1-on-1 in a private assessment room to conduct the following steps:

  • Discuss current issues including mental health issues and substance use
  • Gather psycho-social & medical history
  • Take inventory of current medications
  • Check vital signs
  • Perform orientation, reality and mental health assessments
  • Gather specimens for drug testing
  • Complete necessary admissions paperwork including but not limited to family contact information, releases of information and consent for treatment

Admissions Criteria

Generally, we admit patients who are able to participate in daily program activities, are independent with activities of daily living with minimal assistance and can reasonably be expected to improve their level of functioning. Patients admitted to our hospital must meet one or more of the following criteria:

  • Exhibits behavior that is threatening or harmful to self or others
  • Requires continuous skilled or medical monitoring for severe psychiatric crisis or chemical dependency withdrawal and detoxification
  • Is severely impaired by psychiatric crisis or chemical dependency
  • Is ordered for admission for 48-hour observation and assessment via a legal or court order

Exclusionary Criteria

Aside from not meeting criteria necessary for admission to our hospital, some individuals may also demonstrate criteria which may exclude them from admission. Some of this criteria includes, but is not limited to:

  • Age 11 or younger
  • Severe medical conditions or illness requiring inpatient treatment or complex medical procedures at a medical/surgical hospital
  • Severe cognitive impairment that limits functional participation in group treatments; we do however accept patients with dementia on our geriatric unit
  • Awaiting organ transplant

More Information On Our Site

For more information on our admission or exclusion criteria, please call our Admissions Department at 1-800-821-7224. For other information available on our website, please click on the relevant links below:

We’re Here to Help

Looking for care for yourself or a loved one? Call us at 1-800-821-7224 to speak with an admissions representative about the next step in seeking treatment.

Admissions