Putting people in psychiatric care against their will

**Aimless** · 03-03-2011, 12:27 PM

I'm told you can't place people in psychiatric care against their will (or "will") until they basically commit a crime and get sentenced to psychiatric care. In the US that is. Is this true? Wtf?

**GGT** · 03-03-2011, 02:29 PM

False.

**Ominous Gamer** · 03-03-2011, 02:33 PM

False, its called the Baker Act (at least in Florida). You can have 2 families members sign off to have a person committed for a mental review. Law enforcement can also step in without the family agreeing and have someone Baker Acted.

We attempted it with Brandy's mom a couple of times.
Sucks that they weren't able to properly diagnose her.

**LittleFuzzy** · 03-03-2011, 05:40 PM

Originally Posted by Aimless

I'm told you can't place people in psychiatric care against their will (or "will") until they basically commit a crime and get sentenced to psychiatric care. In the US that is. Is this true? Wtf?

As those two have said, generally false. Laws vary from state to state but most if not all states do have ways. Here in California, a medical authority can order a 72-hour hold on someone they think is a danger to themselves or others.

**Aimless** · 03-03-2011, 05:47 PM

Originally Posted by LittleFuzzy

As those two have said, generally false. Laws vary from state to state but most if not all states do have ways. Here in California, a medical authority can order a 72-hour hold on someone they think is a danger to themselves or others.

Whew, I was worried that everything had to go through the justice system first. But what happens after 72 hrs?

**Being** · 03-03-2011, 05:55 PM

Is someone trying to get you committed?

**Draco** · 03-04-2011, 02:50 PM

Originally Posted by Being

Is someone trying to get you committed?

That was funny

But we can only hope

**Veldan Rath** · 03-03-2011, 06:58 PM

Originally Posted by Aimless

Whew, I was worried that everything had to go through the justice system first. But what happens after 72 hrs?

The 72 hour hold is to allow time for actual experts in the field to make an evaluation.

Sometimes someone just pulls a nutty, and needs a cooling down period...(like standing in line at the DMV for a couple of hours to get to the window and be told that they used the wrong ink and have to start again.)

Other times...yep...needs a long vacation.

**LittleFuzzy** · 03-03-2011, 08:11 PM

Originally Posted by Aimless

Whew, I was worried that everything had to go through the justice system first. But what happens after 72 hrs?

Things get more complicated. It is deliberately not all that easy to hold someone against their will.

**Illusions** · 03-03-2011, 10:58 PM

I've fixed your thread title Aimless...

**Timbuk2** · 03-09-2011, 06:25 PM

Originally Posted by Illusions

I've fixed your thread title Aimless...

Capital 'p' ?

**Illusions** · 03-09-2011, 08:48 PM

Originally Posted by Timbuk2

Capital 'p' ?

Yes.

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