When your child is struggling, it can be hard to know where to go for help. Some situations require immediate medical attention in an Emergency Department, while others are best handled at a psychiatric urgent care center that is designed to support mental and emotional health needs. This guide will help you understand the difference so you can make the safest choice for your child.

What is Pediatric Psychiatric Urgent Care?

Pine Rest’s Pediatric Psychiatric Urgent Care offers same‑day, walk‑in behavioral health help for children and teens ages 6–17 who need prompt support but do not have a life‑threatening medical emergency.

At the Pediatric Psychiatric Urgent Care Center, children and teens can receive:
  • A behavioral health crisis assessment
  • Care recommendations
  • Education for the patient and family
  • A personalized safety plan
  • An after‑care plan
  • Referrals for follow‑up treatment in the community or at Pine Rest
Common concerns Pediatric Psychiatric Urgent Care Center staff can assist with include:
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Panic attacks
  • Substance use concerns (without medical risk)
  • Suicidal ideation and self‑harm urges that do not require medical treatment

When Should Go to the Emergency Department (ER)?

You should call 911 or go to your local Emergency Room if your child has an acute medical emergency. This includes situations that could be dangerous to their physical health. Some examples include:

  • Ingesting a harmful substance
  • Current signs of being under the influence of substances, including overdose
  • Self‑harm behaviors that require medical treatment
  • A suicide attempt that causes injury
  • Aggressive behavior that puts the child or others in immediate danger
  • Acute symptoms of an eating disorder requiring medical testing or treatment, such as fainting, low heart rate or dizziness

When is Psychiatric Urgent Care the Best Fit?

Psychiatric Urgent Care is right for mental health concerns without a medical emergency. This includes emotional, behavioral or psychological issues that need quick attention but are not physically dangerous.

Visit the Pine Rest Psychiatric Urgent Care Center for:

  • Anxiety: Worries, fears, or panic that interfere with daily life. This may include panic attacks, obsessive thoughts, compulsive behaviors, or avoiding social situations.
  • Behavioral concerns (without aggression): Such as excessive meltdowns, yelling, crying, head banging, or refusing to follow directions.
  • Depression: Sadness or hopelessness lasting two weeks or longer and affecting daily life.
  • Disordered eating (without medical risk): Such as bingeing, purging, or restrictive eating as long as the child does not need medical testing or treatment.
  • Self-harm urges (with no medical injury): Thoughts or urges to self‑harm without any injuries needing medical care.
  • Substance use concerns (with no medical risk): Substance use that is connected to mental health concerns but does not require medical attention.
  • Medication Evaluations: When medication questions come up that are tied to mental or behavioral health needs.

Pediatric Psychiatric Urgent Care Center is available at Pine Rest Monday through Thursday, noon to 6:00 PM for ages 6-17

The Pediatric Urgent Care Center is located inside the Pediatric Center of Behavioral Health on the Pine Rest campus at 300 68th St SE, Building H – Entrance H2, Grand Rapids, 49548.

Walk‑ins are welcome, and families can also call or check in online to let the care team know they are on their way. To learn more, visit our Pine Rest Pediatric Psychiatric Urgent Care webpage.

Pine Rest also offers Psychiatric Urgent Care for adults age 18+. To learn more, visit the Psychiatric Urgent Care Center webpage.

 

Need help for your child or teen? Pine Rest provides compassionate, world-class treatment at all care levels for kids.

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