When I went (multiple times ) to the ER w/suicidal thoughts, they always had an "intake counselor" who interviewed me.  And it was basically up to her whether I would be admitted.  Of course, the hospital I went to had a psychiatric lock-down ward and many hospitals don't.  The only time I went home from the hospital in a few hours was when I got mad and simply walked out the door and drove myself home.  Sometimes it took hours for a bed to be available, but they eventually were able to admit me there or transport me to another hospital with beds available.  If you are suicidal it is always better to go to a hospital and ask for help than to try to handle it on your own.  If you can't do that, ask to go spend the day/night with a friend who can listen and care.

I went to hospital once by ambulance for depresion so bad i gave no response to anything around me..i came to at hospital and was taken to a depresion center for a week at another hospital..My thots were suicide and after several years they are back after my 27 yr marrage is over and im now alone but i am able to hide it because of my past figure this time i will succede

Once I was refusing to take my antidepressant so my mom called the police. After my mom and the sheriff left me alone in my bedroom to discuss what to do I cut myself very shallowly. Just barely enough to get a drop of blood. when the sheriff walked back in he asked to see my wrist because my mom told him that I used to cut myself. After I did he took me to the emergency room I told them I was thinking about suicide and that I was going to do it someday but not anytime soon and they sent me home. I had a history of attempted suicide and had been admitted to the hospita 4 times for suicidal ideation and cutting. Basically they don't care if you plan to kill yourself as long as your suicide isn't IMMENENT. That is the key. All they care about is immediate risk and if they didn't think your friend was at least a little serious about killing him/herself in the next day they are likely to let him/her go. BTW I am doing much better now and haven't cut myself since Oct. 19, 2010