Mental Health Hospital Guide · Chicago · Crisis & ER Routing
Chicago Read Mental Health Center emergency room and ER information: address, phone, crisis help, admission routing, visitor tips, and nearby emergency care
Chicago-Read Mental Health Center is a state-operated psychiatric hospital in Chicago’s Dunning area. It should not be treated like a general walk-in emergency room unless a hospital, crisis team, court, or official intake contact has directed you there.
If someone is in immediate danger, call 911. For a mental health or substance-use crisis where you need immediate support by phone or text, call or text 988. For Illinois mobile crisis response access, call CARES at 1-800-345-9049.
Address: 4200 N Oak Park Ave
Chicago, IL 60634
Listed Phone: 773-794-4000
Crisis: 988 / 911 / CARES
Emergency first: If there is immediate danger, serious injury, overdose, weapon access, violent behavior, medical instability, loss of consciousness, or a suicide attempt, call 911 or go to the nearest full-service emergency department. Do not drive to Chicago-Read assuming public ER intake unless directed by an official crisis, hospital, court, or facility contact.
Facility name
Chicago-Read Mental Health Center
State-operated psychiatric hospital / mental health center in Chicago, Illinois.
Address
4200 N Oak Park Ave
Chicago, IL 60634, Cook County.
Listed phone
773-794-4000
Use for general routing, patient/family questions, and facility-transfer direction.
Public ER status
Verify before going
This is psychiatric-hospital routing, not a standard general emergency department page.
Mental health crisis
988 / CARES
Call or text 988 for crisis counseling; call CARES at 1-800-345-9049 for Illinois mobile crisis access.
Nearest ER plan
911 / local ED
For medical emergency or immediate safety threat, use 911 or a full-service emergency department.
Chicago-Read Mental Health Center overview
Chicago-Read is a specialized psychiatric facility, so the right path depends on whether you need emergency medical care, crisis counseling, inpatient psychiatric placement, visitor information, or records.
Chicago-Read Mental Health Center is associated with the Illinois Department of Human Services mental health system. It is commonly listed at 4200 North Oak Park Avenue, Chicago, IL 60634. Public listings may show more than one phone number, so use the main listed line first and ask to be routed to the correct department.
The most important point for patients and families is that a psychiatric hospital is not the same as a full-service emergency room. A person in immediate danger should use 911 or a nearby hospital emergency department. A person needing crisis counseling, safety planning, or mobile crisis routing can start with 988 or the Illinois CARES line.
Quick answer: Use Chicago-Read for psychiatric-hospital routing only after confirming intake, referral, admission, court, transfer, or visitor instructions. Use 911 or a nearby ER for emergency medical care.
Chicago-Read Mental Health Center address and phone numbers
Because published phone listings can vary by department, ask the operator to route you to intake, admissions, patient information, records, visiting, or administration.
| Contact item | Details | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Facility name | Chicago-Read Mental Health Center | Use this name when calling a hospital, crisis line, court, social worker, or records office. |
| Street address | 4200 N Oak Park Ave, Chicago, IL 60634 | Use for directions only after confirming where you should enter and whether the visit or intake is authorized. |
| Main listed phone | 773-794-4000 | General facility routing, patient/family questions, admissions direction, visitor questions, and department transfer. |
| Facility contact listing | 773-794-4203 | A state facility profile lists this number; use it only if the main number does not route you correctly. |
| Mental health crisis line | Call or text 988 | Mental health crisis, suicide crisis, substance-use crisis, or urgent emotional support by phone or text. |
| Illinois CARES line | 1-800-345-9049 | Illinois mobile crisis response access when there is concern for immediate safety or possible inpatient psychiatric treatment. |
| Emergency medical help | 911 | Immediate danger, life-threatening symptoms, violent behavior, overdose, injury, unconsciousness, or unsafe transport. |
Call-routing tip: When calling Chicago-Read, say whether you are asking about admission/referral, current patient information, visitation, records release, court/legal status, or provider transfer. That helps the operator route the call.
Chicago-Read emergency room and ER routing: what to do first
Use the safest route based on the immediate situation. Chicago-Read is a psychiatric hospital, while a full ER can handle medical stabilization and emergency psychiatric assessment.
Immediate danger or medical emergency
Call 911. Use this for suicide attempt, overdose, severe injury, chest pain, stroke symptoms, unconsciousness, severe intoxication, violent behavior, weapon access, or unsafe transport.
Mental health crisis but no immediate physical danger
Call or text 988 for confidential crisis support. A trained counselor can help with de-escalation, safety planning, and next steps.
Possible inpatient psychiatric need
Call CARES at 1-800-345-9049 or go to a hospital emergency department if the person needs evaluation, medical clearance, or safe placement.
Directed referral or transfer to Chicago-Read
Call Chicago-Read first at 773-794-4000 to verify where to go, whether the arrival is expected, what documents are needed, and whether transport should be handled by ambulance, police crisis response, hospital transfer, or another authorized route.
Current patient or visitor question
Call the facility and ask for the patient-information, unit, social work, nursing, records, or visiting desk. Privacy rules may limit what staff can confirm.
Do not self-transfer a high-risk person: If someone is suicidal, psychotic, violent, medically unstable, intoxicated, or trying to leave, call 911 or follow crisis-team instructions instead of driving them yourself.
Chicago mental health crisis options: 911, 988, CARES, ER, and crisis assessment
Use the right option based on safety, medical need, age, and whether the person may need inpatient psychiatric care.
| Situation | Best first step | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Someone is in immediate physical danger | Call 911 | Emergency responders can address medical instability, safety threats, injury, overdose, weapons, or unsafe transport. |
| Suicide thoughts, severe anxiety, panic, crisis, or substance-use crisis | Call or text 988 | 988 provides confidential 24/7 crisis counseling by phone or text. |
| Concern that someone may need inpatient psychiatric treatment | Call CARES at 1-800-345-9049 | Illinois HFS describes CARES as a 24/7 line for crisis and mobile crisis response access. |
| Psychiatric crisis plus medical concern | Go to a full-service emergency department or call 911 | The person may need medical clearance, lab work, medication review, injury treatment, or emergency stabilization. |
| Need psychiatric assessment in a hospital ER | Use a hospital emergency department with psychiatric crisis assessment services when appropriate | A general hospital ER can evaluate both medical and psychiatric concerns and make placement referrals. |
| Provider, court, or hospital says Chicago-Read is the destination | Call Chicago-Read and follow the directed intake/transfer process | Psychiatric hospital placement is typically coordinated, not treated like ordinary walk-in ER registration. |
Safety note: If there is any chance of immediate self-harm, harm to others, overdose, weapon access, or severe medical symptoms, choose 911 or a nearby emergency department first.
Admission and referral routing for Chicago-Read Mental Health Center
Psychiatric hospital admission is usually coordinated through evaluation, referral, crisis screening, court process, or hospital transfer. Do not assume you can arrive and register like a normal ER.
Start with safety.
If the person is unsafe, medically unstable, or actively suicidal, call 911 or go to a full-service emergency department.
Use 988 or CARES for crisis guidance.
988 can provide crisis counseling. CARES can help route mobile crisis response and possible inpatient needs.
Get a clinical evaluation when needed.
A hospital emergency department, crisis worker, outpatient provider, court, or referring facility may evaluate whether inpatient psychiatric hospitalization is appropriate.
Confirm Chicago-Read intake instructions before travel.
Call 773-794-4000 and ask what department handles intake, transfer, referral paperwork, arrival location, and visiting restrictions.
Bring identification and clinical documents.
If directed to the facility, bring photo ID if available, medication list, recent hospital discharge papers, court paperwork, crisis evaluation, guardianship documents, and insurance or Medicaid information if available.
Ask about legal status and communication rules.
Psychiatric admissions may involve privacy rules, voluntary or involuntary status, court orders, guardianship, consent limitations, or unit-specific contact policies.
Provider/referrer script: “I am calling about a possible referral or transfer to Chicago-Read Mental Health Center. The patient is currently at ____. What intake process, records, legal documents, medical clearance, and transport instructions are required?”
Nearby emergency room options to consider before going to Chicago-Read
For medical emergencies, self-harm risk, overdose, severe intoxication, injury, or need for medical clearance, use 911 or a full-service emergency department.
| Emergency option | Address / phone | When it may help |
|---|---|---|
| Community First Medical Center Emergency Department | 5645 W Addison St, Chicago, IL 60634. Main hospital: 773-282-7000. | Nearby general hospital ER option for medical emergency evaluation, injury, overdose, chest pain, stroke symptoms, or psychiatric crisis with medical needs. |
| Ascension Resurrection Medical Center | 7435 W Talcott Ave, Chicago, IL 60631. Listed hospital phone: 773-990-7609. | Nearby hospital option for emergency medical assessment and hospital-based stabilization. |
| UI Health Emergency Department | 1740 W Taylor St, Chicago, IL 60612. General information: 866-600-2273. | UI Health states its emergency department has crisis psychiatric assessment services available 24/7. |
| 911 / EMS | Call 911. | Use when transport is unsafe, the person is violent, suicidal, medically unstable, unconscious, intoxicated, overdosing, or injured. |
ER choice note: The closest ER may not be the right ER for every psychiatric placement. EMS, crisis workers, or the receiving hospital may route the patient based on safety, medical need, bed availability, insurance, legal status, and clinical criteria.
Visiting a patient at Chicago-Read Mental Health Center
Psychiatric hospital visits are more controlled than ordinary hospital visits. Always call first.
Call before visiting
Ask whether the patient can receive visitors, what unit they are on, current visiting hours, ID requirements, age restrictions, and whether the patient has approved contact.
Bring photo ID
Visitors may need government-issued photo identification and may need to sign in through security or the unit desk.
Expect privacy limits
Staff may not be able to confirm patient details without consent or legal authorization, even if you are a relative.
Avoid restricted items
Do not bring weapons, drugs, alcohol, lighters, sharp objects, glass, cords, medications, or valuables unless staff has specifically approved them.
Best visitor question: “What is the current visiting policy for this patient’s unit, and what items are prohibited?”
Medical records, patient privacy, and release authorization
Mental health records are sensitive and may require signed authorization, proof of identity, legal authority, or court documentation.
| Record need | What to ask | What to have ready |
|---|---|---|
| Current patient information | “Can you transfer me to the patient’s unit or explain what information can be released?” | Patient full legal name, date of birth, relationship, and any consent or legal paperwork. |
| Medical record copy | “What authorization form is required for mental health records from Chicago-Read?” | Photo ID, patient details, dates of service, requested records, delivery method, and signed release. |
| Records for another provider | “How should the receiving provider request discharge summaries, medication lists, and treatment records?” | Provider name, fax number, phone number, release form, and urgency. |
| Court, guardian, or attorney request | “What proof of authority is required before records can be released?” | Court order, guardianship papers, attorney authorization, subpoena, release, or representative documents. |
| Billing or coverage documents | “Which office handles statements, public payer questions, Medicaid, Medicare, or financial documentation?” | Patient identifiers, visit/admission dates, payer details, account number if any, and mailing address. |
Privacy caution: Do not publish, text, email, or post another person’s psychiatric diagnosis, admission status, medications, unit location, legal status, court paperwork, or discharge plan without proper authorization.
Transport, safety, and what not to do during a mental health emergency
Transport can become unsafe quickly during psychiatric crisis. Choose the safest route, not the fastest-looking route.
| Situation | Safer action | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Person has a weapon or access to lethal means | Call 911 and explain the mental health crisis clearly. | Trying to physically disarm, restrain, or transport the person yourself. |
| Possible overdose or severe intoxication | Call 911 or go to a hospital ER for medical evaluation. | Driving to a psychiatric facility without medical stabilization. |
| Person is suicidal but cooperative | Call 988, CARES, a clinician, or go to a hospital ER if safety cannot be maintained. | Leaving the person alone or relying only on a future appointment. |
| Person is psychotic, paranoid, or trying to leave | Call crisis services or 911 and keep the environment calm and low-stimulation. | Arguing, crowding, blocking exits, or escalating confrontation. |
| Facility or hospital has accepted transfer | Follow the transfer instructions exactly, including ambulance, paperwork, medication list, and receiving location. | Arriving at a different entrance, without documents, or outside the agreed process. |
Family checklist before calling Chicago-Read, 988, CARES, or an ER
Having accurate details ready can help crisis workers, ER staff, and psychiatric facilities make faster decisions.
Identity and contact
- Full legal name and date of birth
- Current location and callback number
- Emergency contact or guardian details
- Preferred language or communication needs
Current crisis details
- What happened today
- Suicide, self-harm, violence, or weapon risk
- Substance use, overdose, or withdrawal concern
- Medical symptoms or injuries
Clinical background
- Diagnoses and recent hospitalizations
- Medication list and allergies
- Current doctors, therapist, or case manager
- Recent discharge summaries or crisis plans
Legal and practical items
- Voluntary or involuntary status if known
- Court papers, guardianship, or power of attorney
- Insurance, Medicaid, or Medicare information
- Transport limitations and safety concerns
Practical tip: Write down the name of every person you speak with, the time of the call, the instructions given, and where you were told to go.
Payment, Medicaid, Medicare, insurance, and state-hospital questions
State psychiatric hospital payment and eligibility questions can differ from ordinary private-hospital billing.
Before admission
Ask the referring hospital, crisis worker, or Chicago-Read intake contact whether Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance, county/state coverage, or court status affects admission paperwork.
During admission
Ask the unit social worker or business office what financial documents are needed and who can answer coverage questions.
After discharge
Ask for discharge paperwork, medication instructions, follow-up appointments, community mental health referrals, and billing/contact information before leaving.
If a bill arrives
Do not ignore it. Call the listed billing contact and ask for the date of service, payer billed, balance explanation, financial assistance or public coverage routing, and dispute steps.
If you are unsure
Call Chicago-Read’s listed phone number and ask which office handles patient accounts, Medicaid/Medicare documentation, or financial questions for your situation.
Chicago-Read Mental Health Center map and nearby emergency routing
Use the Chicago-Read map only after confirming that the facility is the correct destination. Use 911 for immediate emergency transport.
Chicago-Read Mental Health Center
4200 N Oak Park Ave
Chicago, IL 60634
Listed main phone: 773-794-4000
Call before visiting, arriving for intake, bringing belongings, or attempting to see a current patient.
Nearby general ER example: Community First Medical Center
5645 W Addison St
Chicago, IL 60634
Main hospital: 773-282-7000
For emergency symptoms, use 911 or the nearest full-service emergency department rather than self-routing to a psychiatric facility.
Call scripts for common Chicago-Read questions
Use clear language when calling a crisis line, ER, facility, or records office.
| Need | What to say | Ask next |
|---|---|---|
| Possible admission | “I am calling about possible psychiatric admission or referral to Chicago-Read. The person is currently at ____.” | “What evaluation, paperwork, transport, and medical clearance are required?” |
| Crisis but not medical emergency | “This is a mental health crisis. The person is at ____. They are/are not safe right now.” | “Should we use 988, CARES, mobile crisis, 911, or an emergency department?” |
| Current patient information | “I am calling about a patient who may be at Chicago-Read. Their name is ____ and date of birth is ____.” | “Can you explain what information can be released and what authorization is needed?” |
| Visit planning | “I want to visit a patient. I need current visitor rules for the patient’s unit.” | “What ID is required, what hours apply, and what items are prohibited?” |
| Records request | “I need a copy of mental health records from Chicago-Read for dates ____.” | “What authorization form, ID, legal paperwork, fee, and delivery method are required?” |
Official source checklist for this Chicago-Read guide
Use these sources and phone contacts for final verification because crisis-routing, phone numbers, visiting rules, and admission instructions can change.
| Source | What it verifies | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois IEMA facility profile | Chicago-Read facility name, open status, 4200 N Oak Park Ave address, Cook County, and facility contact listing. | Use for official state facility-location confirmation. |
| Illinois HFS Crisis Services | 911 for medical emergency, 988 call/text crisis support, and CARES 1-800-345-9049 mobile crisis access. | Use first for statewide crisis-routing decisions. |
| Illinois Department of Public Health suicide prevention | 988 support, suicide warning signs, and crisis-help messaging. | Use for suicide-prevention information and warning signs. |
| SAMHSA mental health facility directory | Historic listing of Chicago Read Mental Health Center, address, listed phone, and intake phone. | Use as a directory cross-check, then verify by phone because directory entries can age. |
| IllinoisJobLink / State facility job postings | State of Illinois job postings that identify Chicago-Read Mental Health Center, DHS connection, and 4200 N Oak Park Ave headquarter location. | Use for state-agency context and facility address cross-checking. |
| Community First Medical Center Emergency Department | Nearby hospital emergency-department resource in Chicago. | Use for local general ER information, not for Chicago-Read admission decisions. |
| Illinois Hospital Report Card — Community First | Community First Medical Center address and hospital emergency-system context. | Use to confirm nearby hospital identity and address. |
| Illinois Hospital Report Card — Resurrection | Resurrection Medical Center address and phone listing. | Use to verify another nearby hospital option. |
| UI Health Psychiatry — appointment and crisis instructions | UI Health’s emergency guidance, 911 instruction, and 24/7 crisis psychiatric assessment availability at its emergency department. | Use when looking for a hospital ER with psychiatric crisis assessment. |
| Illinois Department of Human Services | State human services agency context and mental health program routing. | Use for broader Illinois DHS mental health service information and agency contacts. |
Independent guide notice: This page is not operated by Chicago-Read Mental Health Center, Illinois DHS, Illinois HFS, Illinois DPH, CARES, 988, or any hospital system. Always verify emergency, admission, visitor, phone, records, and billing details directly with the responsible official source.
Chicago Read Mental Health Center emergency room and ER FAQs
Common questions about crisis help, ER routing, address, phone number, admission, visiting, records, nearby emergency departments, and safety planning.
1. Does Chicago-Read Mental Health Center have a public emergency room?
Chicago-Read should be treated as a state-operated psychiatric hospital, not a standard public walk-in emergency room. If there is immediate danger or a medical emergency, call 911 or go to a full-service emergency department. Call Chicago-Read before going there for intake or admission.
2. What is the address of Chicago-Read Mental Health Center?
Chicago-Read Mental Health Center is commonly listed at 4200 N Oak Park Ave, Chicago, IL 60634 in Cook County.
3. What is the phone number for Chicago-Read Mental Health Center?
A commonly listed main number for Chicago-Read Mental Health Center is 773-794-4000. State facility listings may show department-specific numbers, so ask the operator to route you to intake, patient information, records, visiting, or administration.
4. What should I do in a mental health emergency near Chicago-Read?
If someone is in immediate physical danger, call 911. If the person needs crisis counseling, call or text 988. If you are in Illinois and need mobile crisis response access or are concerned someone may need inpatient psychiatric treatment, call CARES at 1-800-345-9049.
5. Can I drive someone directly to Chicago-Read for psychiatric admission?
Do not assume direct walk-in admission. Call first or follow instructions from 911, 988, CARES, a hospital emergency department, crisis worker, court, or referring provider. Psychiatric hospital admission usually requires evaluation and coordinated routing.
6. What nearby ER can evaluate a psychiatric crisis?
For emergency medical evaluation, use 911 or the nearest full-service emergency department. Nearby options to verify include Community First Medical Center, Ascension Resurrection Medical Center, and UI Health’s emergency department, which states it has crisis psychiatric assessment services available 24/7.
7. How do I visit a patient at Chicago-Read Mental Health Center?
Call the facility first. Ask whether the patient can receive visitors, what unit rules apply, what identification is required, what hours are current, and what items are prohibited. Privacy rules may limit what staff can confirm.
8. How do I request records from Chicago-Read Mental Health Center?
Call the facility and ask for the medical records or health information office. Mental health records usually require signed authorization, patient identification, dates of service, requested record type, and sometimes legal or guardian paperwork.
9. What should families bring if directed to Chicago-Read?
Bring photo ID if available, medication list, allergies, recent hospital discharge papers, crisis evaluation, court documents, guardianship papers, insurance or Medicaid information, and contact details for doctors, case managers, or family supports.
10. Is 988 the same as 911?
No. 988 is for mental health, suicide, and substance-use crisis support by phone or text. 911 is for immediate danger, medical emergencies, unsafe transport, overdose, serious injury, violent behavior, weapon access, or situations requiring emergency responders.