Emergency psychiatry is the clinical application of psychiatry in emergency settings. Conitions requiring psychiatric interventions may include attempted suicide, substance abuse, depression, psychosis, violence or other rapid changes in behavior. Psychiatric emergency services are rendered by professionals in the fields of medicine, nursing, psychology and social work. The demand for emergency psychiatric services has rapidly increased throughout the world since the 1960s, especially in urban areas. Care for patients in situations involving emergency psychiatry is complex. Professionals working in psychiatric emergency service settings are usually under a high risk of violence due to the mental state of their patients. Individuals may arrive in such a setting through their own voluntary request, a referral from another health professional, or through involuntary commitment. Care of patients requiring psychiatric intervention usually encompasses crisis stabilization of many serious and life-threatening conditions which could include acute or chronic mental disorders or symptoms similar to those conditions.