Afraid of Going to a Psychiatric Hospital During a Pandemic

I was screened and got approval to go to a residential treatment facility for mental health treatment. I have been struggling with depression and social anxiety for 15 years. I was barely functioning before. Every week, my therapist was basically telling me, “Don’t kill yourself between now and our next session. Call 911 if you don’t think you can stay safe.” The changes caused by the pandemic set me over the edge. Even though I had a job, I couldn't work.

The local residential facilities are either not appropriate for my diagnosis (i.e. substance abuse or eating disorders only) or don’t accept my insurance. My insurance doesn’t have any out of network benefits and paying out of pocket would cost more than I make in a year. I was referred to an in network facility that is in another state, about 2,000 miles away (I am currently living with family).

I looked at their website and here are some of the precautions they say that they are taking for Covid-19:

• Required COVID-19 testing as part of admission criteria
• Obtained cleaning and protective health equipment
• Closed campus, limiting visitors
• Health screening on employees, clients, and all essential visitors
• Introduced masking and educated on mask care with employees and clients
• Comprehensive approach to social distancing on and between campuses

I really need this treatment, but I am nervous about traveling so far away and the risks of participating in person. Fifty minutes of teletherapy with a brand new therapist is not cutting it. I have no social support. I don’t know if it is safe to go or what questions I should ask the facility.