How to Commit Someone for Depression

How to Commit Someone for Depression Depression Treatment Print How Involuntary Hospitalization for Depression Works By Nancy Schimelpfening Nancy Schimelpfening, MS is the administrator for the non-profit depression support group Depression Sanctuary. Nancy has a lifetime of experience with depression, experiencing firsthand how devastating this illness can be. Learn about our editorial policy Nancy Schimelpfening Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Daniel B. Block, MD on January 29, 2020 twitter linkedin Daniel B. Block, MD, is an award-winning, board-certified psychiatrist who operates a private practice in Pennsylvania. Learn about our Medical Review Board Daniel B. Block, MD Updated on February 24, 2020 Depression Overview Types Symptoms Causes & Risk Factors Diagnosis Treatment Coping ADA & Your Rights Depression in Kids Hispanolistic / Getty Images Are you considering involuntary hospitalization for depression for someone you care about? You may be wondering what you can do. You may not even be sure if hospitalization is really necessary. The following is meant to answer some of the questions that you may be having when making the difficult decision to commit someone to a mental hospital against their will. When Does Involuntary Hospitalization Become Necessary? If your loved one is experiencing symptoms such as severe depression, suicidal urges, mania, or psychosis, it can have a devastating impact on them and the people around them. Possible consequences can include suicide, physical harm to others, financial ruin, destroyed relationships, and the inability to take care of basic daily needs. Unfortunately, mental illness often makes a person unable to think clearly about their situation. It may be up to the people around themâ€"such as family members, police, emergency responders, or mental health providersâ€"to take the initiative to get help in order to prevent a tragic outcome. Terms to Understand The term mentally ill is not as clearly defined for legal purposes as it is in the treatment of mental illness. With the exception of Utah, no state in the U.S. uses a list of recognized mental disorders to define mental illness. Instead, the definition varies from state to state and is usually defined in rather vague terms describing how mental illness affects thinking and behavior.?? The definition of grave disability also varies from state to state. In general, it refers to a persons inability to take care of themselves.?? Who Can Be Involuntarily Committed? The laws vary widely from state to state, but a person must be living with a mental illness in order to be involuntarily committed. Mental Illness Policy Org. provides criteria listed by state for both involuntary commitment for inpatient care and involuntary commitment for outpatient care.?? Criteria that states may consider include: A clear and present danger to himself or herself (someone who has inflicted serious bodily injury on themselves, has attempted suicide or serious self-injury,  or threatened to inflict serious bodily injury on themselves)Grave disabilityThe need for involuntary treatment (essential for health and safety) Less common criteria used by some states include: Responsiveness to treatmentAvailability of appropriate treatment at the facility to which the person will be committedRefusal of voluntary hospital admissionLack of capacity to consentFuture danger to propertyLeast restrictive alternative While most states require that the person presents a clear and present danger to themselves or others in order to be committed, this is not true for all states. In some, involuntary hospitalization may occur if individuals are refusing needed treatment whether or not they are considered to be dangerous.?? Who Can Get Someone Involuntarily Hospitalized? Emergency detentions, in which immediate psychiatric help is being sought, are usually initiated by family members or friends who have observed the persons behavior. Sometimes its initiated by the police, although any adult could request emergency detention. The exact procedures vary by state, with many states requiring judicial approval or evaluation by a doctor confirming that the person meets the states criteria for hospitalization. Can You Be Committed Against Your Will? Patients may also be admitted for what is known as observational institutionalization, in which hospital staff may observe the person to determine a diagnosis and administer limited treatment. Application for this type of hospitalization can usually be made by any adult who has a reason to do so, but some states require that the application is made by a doctor or hospital personnel. And most require that an observational institutionalization receives the approval of the courts. The third type of hospitalization, extended commitment, is a bit more difficult to obtain. Generally, it requires one or more persons from a specific group of peopleâ€"such as friends, relatives, guardians, public officials, and hospital personnelâ€"to apply for one. Often a certificate or affidavit from one or more physicians or mental health professionals describing the patients diagnosis and treatment must accompany the application. In virtually all states a hearing must be  held, with a judge or jury making the final decision about whether the person can be held. How to Initiate the Process of Committing Someone Because the actual process varies by state, it is a good idea to consult a local expert who can educate you about your states procedures. People best able to advise you include: Your family doctor or a psychiatristYour local hospitalYour local police departmentA lawyer specializing in mental health lawYour state protection and advocacy association If you believe that your loved one is in danger of hurting themselves or others or is experiencing a life-threatening emergency, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911. In most states, you will need a qualified civil official, crisis team member, or medical staff  to deem a person a danger to themselves or others and enact a “psychiatric hold” or pick up. Commonly Asked Questions How long does involuntary hospitalization last?Emergency detention is typically only for a short period,?? with the average being about three to five days. It can vary a bit by state, however, ranging from just 24 hours in a few states to up to 20 days in New Jersey. In the states that allow for observational commitment, the length of hospitalization can vary considerably, ranging from 48 hours in Alaska to six months in West Virginia. A typical length for extended commitment is up to six months. At the end of the initial period, an application can be made for the time to be extended, generally for one to two times longer than the original commitment. Requests can be made for further commitment when each period expires, as long as the patient continues to meet the legal criteria. Can a patient be forced to receive treatment? Patients cannot be forced to receive treatment unless there has been a hearing declaring them legally incompetent to make their own decisions. Even though the person has been hospitalized involuntarily, most states will treat them as being capable of making their own medical decisions unless it has been determined otherwise. Patients who are in immediate danger may be given medications on an emergency basis. However, these medications are directed at calming the person and stabilizing their medical condition rather than treating their mental illness. For example, a sedative might be administered to prevent the person from harming themselves, but they could not be forced to take an antidepressant, as this is considered to be treatment. The Best Online Resources for Depression