It can be a devastating and helpless experience to watch a friend, loved one, or acquaintance go through a mental health crisis or serious substance abuse struggle. You aren’t completely out of options, though—if you’re worried about this person’s health and safety, you can potentially get them legally admitted to a mental hospital (also known as involuntary commitment). We’ll walk you through all the ins and outs of the process so the struggling individual in your life can start their journey of healing and recovery. We’ll even touch on how to voluntarily commit yourself to a mental hospital, so you can get the care and support you need during a challenging time.
Note: Always call emergency services (911 in the U.S.) if you or someone else are in serious danger. If a friend or loved one is actively suicidal, call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
Things You Should Know
- Call emergency services if someone is a danger to themselves or others, or file a petition in your state to get the involuntary commitment process started.
- Individuals can get involuntarily committed if a mental health professional and judge/magistrate feel that it’s best for them.
- The involuntary commitment process involves three key components: an emergency psychiatric evaluation, inpatient treatment, and assisted outpatient treatment.
- Commit yourself to a hospital voluntarily if you need extra care and support to manage your mental illness.
Steps
Involuntary Commitment Process
-
The individual is taken into emergency custody and evaluated. In some states, relatives and spouses can request an emergency hold for an individual; in other places, only psychiatrists, doctors, and law enforcement officers can make the request. Depending on the state, the individual is held temporarily. [8] X Research source
- Many states allow emergency holds to last at least 72 hours, while a small handful of states allow for shorter detainment periods.
-
A petition is filed for the individual to receive inpatient treatment. Some states allow family members to file this petition, while other places only let mental health professionals get the process started. During this time, a court will decide if the individual meets the state’s criteria for involuntary commitment (like being gravely disabled or a danger to themselves or others). [9] X Research source
- In some cases, the court might recommend supervised outpatient treatment for a person rather than inpatient care. This is known as “step-up AOT.”
- You might be asked to testify in this court hearing if you’ve personally observed the person’s dangerous behavior. [10] X Research source
-
The individual stays at an inpatient facility. The length of inpatient treatment varies from state to state. Washington and California, for instance, only mandate up to two weeks of inpatient hospitalization, while Massachusetts, Rhode Island, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, Georgia, and Florida all mandate six months of hospitalization. Click here to get a closer look at your state’s procedures.
- The court typically gets to choose which facility the person goes to. [11] X Trustworthy Source State of Massachusetts Official website for the State of Massachusetts Go to source
-
Hospitalization can be extended if a mental health professional recommends it. [12] X Research source Most states require a court order for this process to go forward, while a few states (like Pennsylvania, Maryland, Tennessee, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Wyoming) do not. The length of this extended inpatient treatment also depends on the state—some places, like Delaware and Arizona, cap the extra treatment at 90 days, while other places, like Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Nebraska, Mississippi, Indiana, Ohio, South Carolina, New Jersey, and Connecticut, don’t have a maximum time limit. [13] X Research source
-
A petition may be filed for the individual to receive AOT. After receiving inpatient treatment, a judge may decide if the individual can transition to court-monitored outpatient treatment—this is also known as “step-down AOT.” [14] X Research source
- When the court allows it, the individual may later switch to a voluntary, community-based treatment plan.
How to Voluntarily Commit Yourself
-
Fill out a Psychiatric Advance Directive beforehand. List the types of medications you would (and wouldn’t!) like to take during your treatment, if you’d want future visitors, and who you want caring for your home, bills, and other obligations while you’re hospitalized. You can even include the name of someone who can make decisions on your behalf (an “agent”) if you’re ever not in the right frame of mind to make decisions for yourself. Bring this form with you whenever you want to be hospitalized. [15] X Research source
- You don’t have to fill this out, but it can be a big help if you’re considering inpatient mental health treatment in the future.
- Click here for a master list of PAD forms and PAD FAQs organized by state.
-
Choose the hospital or treatment facility you’d like to stay at. Do you need round-the-clock, in-depth care for your mental illness, or are you looking for partial care? Search for hospitals and facilities in your area that really cater to your treatment needs. [16] X Research source
- Psychiatric wings in hospitals: 24/7 in-patient care with psychiatrists and therapists
- Public psychiatric hospital: A separate hospital that offers both short- and long-term care for people with financial difficulties
- Partial hospitalization: An option that’s less intense than 24/7 treatment programs
- Residential care: 24/7 care offered in a residential, non-hospital setting
- Click here to find mental illness treatment centers in your area, and here to find substance abuse treatment centers.
-
Check in to the facility and get a physical exam. Chat with staff members so you have a good idea of how the treatment center works and what you can expect there. Before you’re onboarded, a doctor will give you a medical check-up so they can take a closer look at your physical health. Before you officially check yourself in, feel free to ask questions like: [17] X Research source
- Who will be treating me at the hospital? How often will I meet with them?
- Who can visit me when I’m at the hospital, and how long can they visit me for?
- What is the rooming situation like at your facility?
- What is a typical daily schedule at your facility?
-
Check with your facility to see when you can leave. At some hospitals, you can check yourself out whenever you feel comfortable and ready to do so. In some cases, you might need the okay from the hospital—check with the facility and see what their policy is. [18] X Research source
Expert Q&A
Video
Tips
- It can be a good idea to voluntarily commit yourself to a hospital if you don’t feel safe spending time by yourself or around others. It can also be helpful if you’d just like a few days to prioritize your mental health. [19] X Research sourceThanks
- If someone you care about is struggling with substance abuse, consider holding an intervention for them. [20] X Research sourceThanks
- Involuntary commitment can be an effective solution for a mental health crisis or serious substance abuse, but it shouldn’t be your go-to option. Talk to the individual about their mental illness and see if they’re willing to voluntarily commit themselves before going this route. [21] X Trustworthy Source State of Massachusetts Official website for the State of Massachusetts Go to sourceThanks
Warnings
- If you’re really worried about your personal health and safety, it could be worth filing a restraining order against the person in question.Thanks
- Involuntarily committing someone doesn’t always guarantee that they’ll receive treatment. Many states give patients the right to turn down treatment. [22] X Research sourceThanks
References
- ↑ https://www2.hse.ie/mental-health/services-support/involuntary-admission/
- ↑ https://www2.hse.ie/mental-health/services-support/involuntary-admission/
- ↑ https://mentalillnesspolicy.org/national-studies/state-standards-involuntary-treatment.html
- ↑ https://mentalillnesspolicy.org/national-studies/state-standards-involuntary-treatment.html
- ↑ https://www2.hse.ie/mental-health/services-support/involuntary-admission/
- ↑ https://drugfree.org/drug-and-alcohol-news/many-states-allow-involuntary-commitment-addiction-treatment/
- ↑ https://www.treatmentadvocacycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/grading-the-states.pdf
- ↑ https://www.treatmentadvocacycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/grading-the-states.pdf
- ↑ https://www.treatmentadvocacycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/grading-the-states.pdf
- ↑ https://dmh.mo.gov/behavioral-health/help/civil
- ↑ https://www.mass.gov/info-details/section-35-the-process
- ↑ https://eriecountypa.gov/departments/human-services/mental-health/voluntary-and-involuntary-commitment/
- ↑ https://lawatlas.org/datasets/long-term-involuntary-commitment-laws
- ↑ https://www.treatmentadvocacycenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/grading-the-states.pdf
- ↑ https://www.mhanational.org/psychiatric-advance-directives-taking-charge-your-care
- ↑ https://www.mhanational.org/hospitalization
- ↑ https://www.mhanational.org/hospitalization
- ↑ https://www.mhanational.org/hospitalization
- ↑ https://screening.mhanational.org/content/do-i-need-go-hospital/?layout=actions_c
- ↑ https://americanaddictioncenters.org/intervention/guide
- ↑ https://www.mass.gov/info-details/section-35-the-process
- ↑ https://lawatlas.org/datasets/long-term-involuntary-commitment-laws
About This Article
Reader Success Stories
- "All of these suggestions are helpful but they cannot help with the biggest problem and that is having the mentally ill person themselves recognize that they need help and their denial of them even being sick. How do you get help for them if you can't even get them to a doctor or someone that can help them." ..." more