How To Get Someone Committed To A Mental Hospital
How To Get Someone Committed To A Mental Hospital: A Guide for Concerned Family and Friends
If you are reading this, you are likely in a very difficult and stressful situation. Watching a loved one struggle with a severe mental health crisis is terrifying, especially when they pose a danger to themselves or others and refuse help. You may be wondering, "What is the proper procedure, and how to get someone committed to a mental hospital?"
This comprehensive guide is designed to walk you through the necessary steps for involuntary psychiatric commitment. It is crucial to understand that commitment is a serious legal and medical measure, reserved for emergency situations where immediate safety is the primary concern. We will explore the legal standards, the immediate actions you should take, and what to expect during this challenging process.
Understanding Involuntary Commitment
Involuntary commitment, sometimes called emergency detention or temporary hold, is a process used when an individual is experiencing a mental health crisis so severe that they cannot make rational decisions about their own safety or well-being. This procedure temporarily authorizes a psychiatric hospital to hold and treat the person without their consent.
It is important to recognize that this is not a permanent solution, but rather a temporary measure designed to stabilize the individual during an acute crisis. Every state and country has specific laws governing involuntary commitment, often referred to by terms like a "5150 hold" in California or similar statutes elsewhere.
Identifying a Mental Health Crisis Situation
Before you can proceed with attempting to get someone committed to a mental hospital, you must confirm that the situation meets the strict legal criteria for involuntary intervention. These criteria are generally centered on imminent risk.
A person must typically meet one or more of the following three standards:
- Danger to Self (Suicidality): They are actively threatening or attempting suicide, or displaying behaviors that indicate a severe risk of self-harm.
- Danger to Others (Homicidality): They are making direct threats or exhibiting violent behavior that indicates they may harm another person.
- Gravely Disabled: Due to their mental illness, they are unable to provide for their own basic needs, such as food, shelter, or medical care, and there is no one else available or willing to assist them.
If the person is simply struggling or refusing therapy but is not exhibiting immediate danger or grave disability, involuntary commitment will likely not be legally possible.
Immediate Steps to Take for Intervention
When a crisis is unfolding, safety is your first priority. Do not try to handle a potentially violent or suicidal situation alone. These immediate actions will initiate the process of determining how to get someone committed to a mental hospital safely.
Calling Emergency Services
The most direct route is calling emergency services. However, it is crucial to communicate the situation accurately to ensure the appropriate response team is dispatched.
When you call 911 (or your local emergency number), clearly state that this is a mental health emergency. Ask for Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) trained officers if available in your area. These officers have special training in de-escalation techniques and are often better equipped to manage a mental health crisis than standard police.
Alternatively, if the person is cooperative but needs immediate assessment, utilize local mobile crisis teams or mental health hotlines. These resources can often provide a rapid on-site assessment.
The Legal Process of Commitment
Once emergency personnel arrive, they will assess the situation. If they determine the person meets the criteria for immediate danger, they can authorize an involuntary hold, which transfers the individual to a psychiatric facility or emergency room for further evaluation.
This initial hold is typically short—often 24 to 72 hours—and is primarily for assessment and stabilization.
What Happens During the Initial Hold?
During the hold period, psychiatric professionals (doctors, psychiatrists, licensed clinical social workers) will thoroughly evaluate the individual. They will gather information from the patient, as well as family members and the records provided by emergency services.
The main goals of this evaluation are:
- Stabilize any immediate medical or psychiatric symptoms.
- Determine if the legal criteria for commitment are still being met.
- Attempt to encourage the patient to agree to voluntary treatment.
If the patient stabilizes quickly or agrees to stay for treatment voluntarily, the involuntary hold is usually dropped. However, if they still meet the legal standard for danger or grave disability, the facility may seek an extended commitment.
Extending the Commitment: Court Proceedings
To extend the treatment period beyond the initial 72 hours, the hospital must usually petition the court. This means the individual is entitled to a court hearing, where a judge reviews the evidence to decide if the commitment is necessary. This is a critical step in the process of how to get someone committed to a mental hospital for longer-term care.
The individual has the right to legal representation during this hearing. The judge will listen to testimony from the treating psychiatrist and, potentially, concerned family members who can offer evidence of the person's recent dangerous behavior.
If the judge agrees, the commitment might be extended for periods such as 14 days, 30 days, or even longer, depending on local law and the severity of the illness.
Preparing for the Evaluation and Court Hearing
Your involvement as a family member or friend is critical, as you often have the best insight into the severity of the crisis. To effectively support the commitment process, you need to be organized.
Gathering comprehensive information helps clinicians and the court understand the full scope of the person's condition. Remember, the hospital staff might only see a relatively calm person after they have been stabilized with medication, so historical context matters.
Documentation You Should Gather
When you contact the hospital or emergency services, have this information ready:
- Specific Incidents: Detailed notes of recent behavior demonstrating danger (dates, times, what was said, actions taken). Focus on statements of intent to harm self or others.
- Medical History: List of current medications, known diagnoses (even if unofficial), and previous psychiatric hospitalizations.
- Contact Information: Names and phone numbers of their current psychiatrist, therapist, or primary care doctor.
- Refusal of Care: Any evidence that they have stopped taking medication or refused necessary treatment.
Be objective and factual. Emotional descriptions are less helpful than concrete examples, such as: "On Tuesday at 2 PM, John said, 'I need to end my life, and I have figured out how to do it.'"
After the Commitment: Next Steps and Support
While successfully getting someone committed to a mental hospital means they are safe, the journey doesn't end there. Commitment is just the starting line for long-term recovery and support.
You need to be prepared for the discharge planning process. Hospital staff will work to ensure the patient has a safe place to go and follow-up treatment scheduled before they are released. If you are part of the support system, you must actively participate in these discussions.
Remember that involuntary commitment can strain relationships. Seek guidance from mental health professionals on how to support your loved one through their recovery while respecting boundaries and maintaining your own well-being.
Conclusion
Understanding how to get someone committed to a mental hospital is often a desperate measure taken out of love and necessity. The key takeaway is that involuntary commitment is a short-term, legally regulated intervention reserved for immediate safety crises—danger to self, danger to others, or grave disability.
If you are facing this situation, remember to prioritize safety by calling emergency services (911/CIT), documenting behavioral evidence clearly, and cooperating fully with mental health professionals and the court system. Though difficult, taking these steps can be life-saving and is often the necessary first step toward long-term stabilization and recovery for your loved one.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Can I force an adult to go into therapy or take medication?
- No. Outside of an involuntary commitment order (where they meet the dangerousness criteria), you cannot force an adult to engage in therapy or take medication. Commitment only authorizes treatment during the temporary hold period.
- How long does an involuntary commitment typically last?
- Initial holds are usually 24 to 72 hours for evaluation. If extended by a court, commitments can range from 14 days to several months, depending on the severity of the illness and local state laws. The goal is always the shortest time necessary for stabilization.
- Does the committed person lose all their legal rights?
- No. They retain most of their legal rights, including the right to legal representation, the right to refuse certain treatments (with exceptions in emergency situations), and the right to appeal the commitment decision.
- What if I call 911 and they refuse to commit the person?
- Emergency personnel must determine if the person meets the strict legal criteria (imminent danger or grave disability). If the criteria are not met, they cannot legally initiate an involuntary hold. If you believe the danger is real, focus on gathering more documented evidence and contact a mobile crisis unit or designated psychiatric screening center.
How To Get Someone Committed To A Mental Hospital
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