It's 3AM
You're working in psychiatric intake.
It's a small lobby with two waiting areas
one in front of the main desk and one behind it surrounded by plexiglass.. off to its side is a hallway with isolation cells and a security office.
You've got three clients and you've got 72 hours before either you boot them upstairs, contact other social services (police, homeless, etc) or bloody kick them out. There's only one coveted spot available upstairs.
You have to make a preliminary diagnosis to justify keeping one for extended observation by the mds above,
justify sending another to social services or jail
and finally covering yourself legally with the third you release
In recap,: One is a more immediate threat to themselves or others, or otherwise has a high risk potential
One possibly has another agenda in seeking hospitalization - ranging from anything to looking for a place to crash, escaping consequences of some sort or trying to get a pay off, i.e. welfare/disability/lawsuit scam. Maybe fishing for drugs or who knows but too spot on, suspicious (checking all the boxes in a textbook fashion or otherwise too stereotypical and over the top like making poo dolls and talking to them) to qualify for an emergency hold and would be better handled by other services to determine what those needs might be.
The final might just be an addict or partier that will stabilize once they sober up. Perhaps even a possible trauma but just in temporary shock. High stress (school/job/family) breakdown. They could have some underlining mental health issues but there's other circumstances or factors that are exaggerating symptoms right now and their issues could be managed with outpatient care.
Your clients are Britney Spears, Demi Lovato & Farrah Abrahams