Discussion Involuntary commintment

[kkatt]

I live in the UK. Here,it's not really possible for a family member to have you committed against your will. They can express concerns to a medical professional,but at the end of the day,the law requires two separate psychiatric specialists to agree that committal is required before the decision can be taken over your head.
What is the legal situation in the country that you live in?
I as simply because it seems to be one of the biggest fears amongst people using this site.

 

[BridgeJumper]

I live in Poland and here basically anyone can get you committed. Ive been sectioned by family that called the cops on me. As long as they have proof that youre suicidal (either you said that out loud or there are pills, ropes, a note in your room or stuff like that) they can have you committed. Then you can refuse being treated and have a court date, but you will still be locked up for however long they think you need to. You can try to prove to the court that the committal is unnecessary, but good luck achieving that. Luckily most people get discharged after anywhere from 3 to 8 weeks, it used to be so much worse before the new mental health care act.

 

[TAW122]

I live in the US and it's quite different (but I guess it depends on each state though). While I never been involuntarily committed nor even had a psych hold done on me, but based on my understanding, it really sucks especially in some states like California, Florida, New York, and what not. Well, Florida in particular there is the Baker Act, meaning that if anyone deems you to be a plausible threat (according to their opinion) and report you to the authorities, the authorities can put you in a 3 day (72 hour) hold without due process. It's really wrong and disgusting and I'm glad I don't like in that state (no offense to any Floridians though).

 

[k75]

Here, if you're deemed an imminent threat to yourself or others, you will be sent to the hospital and held up to 72 hours. But the immediate danger has to be there. They generally don't section people for saying they feel suicidal but have no plan. It's just if there's reason to believe you are about to go out and do it.

If you attempt and professionals are involved, you could be held.

If you go or are taken to the hospital and say you are suicidal, you could be held.

If you get emergency services or the police called on you because of self harm, you'll be held.

 

[kkatt]

Ah! See, UK law used to require that the medical professionals deemed you a threat to yourself or others,but some time ago the "care in the community act" was passed. This meant almost all psychiatric inpatient facilities were closed,leaving only the smallest number of beds to cover large areas of the population. Hence,now being a danger to yourself or others just doesn't cut it. You are very unlucky if you actually end up being admitted against your will.
We also have universal healthcare so we don't have the issue of who will pay for your stay. How does that work where you are? If you are committed against your will,do you end up with a humongous bill to pay too?

 

[k75]

It depends on insurance. My insurance will pay for any mental health and emergency services, including psych stays. But not everyone is so lucky. It might have to do with the state I live in, too. I've never looked into the reason why, just kind of take it for granted.

 

[Quarky00]

Ah! See, UK law used to require that the medical professionals deemed you a threat to yourself or others,but some time ago the "care in the community act" was passed. This meant almost all psychiatric inpatient facilities were closed,leaving only the smallest number of beds to cover large areas of the population. Hence,now being a danger to yourself or others just doesn't cut it. You are very unlucky if you actually end up being admitted against your will.

Spot on, and very common elsewhere as well :)

 

[UpandDownPrincess]

I live in the US and it's quite different (but I guess it depends on each state though). While I never been involuntarily committed nor even had a psych hold done on me, but based on my understanding, it really sucks especially in some states like California, Florida, New York, and what not. Well, Florida in particular there is the Baker Act, meaning that if anyone deems you to be a plausible threat (according to their opinion) and report you to the authorities, the authorities can put you in a 3 day (72 hour) hold without due process. It's really wrong and disgusting and I'm glad I don't like in that state (no offense to any Floridians though).

Floridian here.

The thing with being "Baker Acted" right now is that there are very few beds available. If you're not floridly suicidal or psychotic you'll likely spend 3 hellish days with a babysitter in the Emergency Room before being released. It's very stressful, but in some ways better than a bed in a psych unit.

 

[passenger27]

I had to have my ex wife committed years ago. A friend of hers got her hooked on drugs and she would stay gone sometimes a week at a time, come home, & try to CTB. I got to the point where I couldn't take it anymore so I took her to the emergency room & told them she needed to be committed. They said the only way to do that would be to talk to the magistrate & convince them she was a danger to herself or others. So I talked to him, he agreed she was a danger, so that was that. This was how it worked where I live.

 

[cursum.perficio]

One thing I envy about people who live in third-world nations is that involuntary commitment laws aren't a thing, or you quickly get released if committed

 

[MachinaArcana]

I'm in Belgium and was commited back in 1994 at the age of 23, after trying to ctb. The court order said I was considered "a danger to myself and the people around me". After a short procedure, during which I was heard once by a judge and a police officer (not even a psychiatrist was involved) , I was officially declared "mentally ill". I don't know how you feel about that, but I think that's some fucked up shit right there.

As a result of the court order, I spent 9 months in two psychiatric hospitals - and after my relelase, I was in worse shape than when I went in.

It was hell, but with fluorescent lighting.