What does committed to a mental institution mean

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Under an order of deportation, exclusion, or removal, or under an order to depart the United States voluntarily, whether or not he or she has left the United States. Background Checks for Firearm Transfers Committed to a mental institution.

Committed to a mental institution means a formal commitment of a person to a mental institution by a court , board , commission , or other lawful authority. The term includes a commitment to a mental institution involuntarily either as an inpatient or outpatient. The term includes commitment for mental defectiveness or mental illness.

It also includes commitments for other reasons , such as for drug or alcohol abuse. The term does not include admission to a mental institution for observation or a voluntary admission to a mental institution. Sample 1. Assisted Outpatient Treatment AOT laws allow a judge to order someone to stay in treatment as a condition of living in the community. The court also orders case managers and mental health programs to provide the treatment that is ordered. There is renewed interest in AOT due to its efficacy, low cost, and success at reducing hospitalizations, incarcerations and violence.

As a result of decisions like Rivers vs. Katz; Rogers vs. Okin; Rennie vs. Klien; In the Matter of Richard Roe, etc. These hearings often occur weeks apart resulting in the ludicrous, cruel, expensive, and dangerous proposition of having someone hospitalized but not allowed to be given treatment.

Hence, one can be acting dangerously, yet still retain capacity. In that case the individual would be committed but have a right to refuse treatment and a second court hearing would be needed on whether or not they retain capacity.

If they have capacity, they cannot be treated over objection. Nor should they. It does not mandate that they give treatment. This fact is sometimes purposefully ignored. Anosognosia is a lack of awareness of illness. The brain, the organ charged with helping them recognize they are ill, is the organ that is not functioning.

So many people with mental illness do not know they have it. Again, please read Madness in the Streets, for a more complete and useful understanding of the laws.

Two reasons for removing freedom Involuntarily committing someone involves taking away freedom. Greater use of Parens patriae powers needed Unfortunately, the state rarely exercises its ability to commit individuals with NBD under parens patriae standards: to help the individual. Involuntary Commitment does not equal Involuntary Treatment.

Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. Can you be committed to a psychiatric ward at a hospital or a mental hospital against your will? What if you are feeling suicidal? What should you know about both short-term emergency detention and long-term commitment?

The short answer is that you can be committed to a mental hospital against your will if you meet the criteria set forth by the state in which you live. The exact criteria vary, but often include the requirement that you must present a danger, either to yourself or others, before you can be committed. The exact process for commitment varies from state to state. Additionally, each state has procedures in place that prevent you from being detained without just cause, such as requirements for medical certification or judicial approval.

Who can initiate the process of having you committed also varies from state to state and depends on the type of commitment being sought. It's important to note that there is also a significant difference between emergency detention—committing a person for a short period of time—and longer periods of commitment. Suicidal thoughts and feelings along with the belief that you are in immediate danger of hurting yourself would fall under the umbrella of reasons for a short-term commitment or involuntary hospitalization for depression.

Other criteria that may be considered include whether you are able to take care of yourself and whether you are in need of treatment for your mental illness. Some states do not require that a person be in danger of hurting themselves or others, and involuntary hospitalization may be considered if a person is refusing needed treatment for mental illness.

The definition of mental illness also varies from state to state. If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. A short-term emergency detention, such as detention immediately following a suicide attempt, can generally be requested by anyone who has witnessed the situation that you are in, including friends, family, or the police.

Even though almost anyone can initiate the process, most states do require either medical evaluation or court approval in order to ensure that you meet that particular state's criteria.

The allowed duration of emergency detentions vary from state to state but are most often limited to 24—48 hours before a civil commitment proceeding must be initiated. Some states have longer detention periods that can range from four to 10 days.

Even if a person has been committed through emergency detention, they will not be forced to undergo treatment for their mental illness. The exception is treatments that are required on an emergency basis and are designed to calm a person or stabilize a medical condition.

This does not include medications to specifically treat mental illness such as administering antidepressants. To make a person take medications for mental illness or go through therapy, that person would need to be declared incompetent to make their own decisions—a separate process from that of short-term commitment. Commitments for longer periods of time generally have more stringent requirements than emergency detention, but again are for limited periods of time and cannot be extended without the proper procedures being followed.

Typically, the maximum length of long-term commitment is six months depending on the state, after which a reassessment must be made before the commitment is extended. To learn more about your own state's laws regarding involuntary commitment, consult the Treatment Advocacy Center, which provides a state-by-state review of all relevant laws.

When talking about "commitment," it might sound like a prison sentence, but in actuality, when commitment is considered, the goal is to help a person, not to punish or restrict their rights as a human being.

Talk of commitment usually demonstrates compassion and consideration of the safety and well-being of the person in need of help.