Can You Commit Someone to a Mental Hospital Against Their Will?

Being committed refers to the process of placing someone in an inpatient setting such as a hospital psychiatric unit or a mental hospital. Can you be committed to a psychiatric ward at a medical hospital or a mental hospital against your will? What if you are feeling suicidal?

The short answer is that you can be committed against your will if you meet the criteria set forth by the state in which you live, and every state has civil commitment standards. Here's what you should know about both short-term emergency detention and long-term mental health commitment.

General, Short-Term Commitment

The 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.

There are also time limits on how long you can be held against your will. Who can initiate the process of having you committed varies from state to state as well and depends on the type of commitment being sought.

Can You Commit Someone If They Are Suicidal?

Suicidal thoughts and feelings, along with the belief that the person is in immediate danger of hurting themselves, would fall under the umbrella of reasons for a short-term commitment or involuntary hospitalization for depression. Other criteria include whether the person can take care of themselves and whether they need treatment for their mental illness.

Some states do not require that a person be in danger of hurting themselves or others, and involuntary hospitalization may still be considered if they are refusing needed treatment for mental illness. The definition of mental illness also varies from state to state.

Who Can Make the Request?

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 varies from state to state but is most often limited to 72 hours before a civil commitment proceeding must be initiated.

Can Someone Who Has Been Committed Refuse Treatment?

Commitment is often seen as a way to get someone mental help when they refuse. However, 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.

How to Get Someone Mental Help When They Refuse

If someone you know needs mental help but refuses, there are strategies that you can use to encourage them to seek treatment. They include:

• Listening to the person
• Asking questions
• Validating their feelings
• Offering support

Building a relationship of trust and support means the other person may be more likely to take your advice. Start small by offering to help them research treatment options and drive them to appointments.

Can You Commit Someone for Long-Term Treatment?

Commitments for longer periods of time generally have more stringent requirements than emergency detention. But, again, there are time limits that cannot be extended without the proper procedures being followed.

The maximum length of a long-term commitment is six to 12 months, depending on the state, after which a reassessment must be made before the commitment is extended.

Hospitalization for Depression

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 punish or restrict their rights as a human being.

Talk of commitment usually demonstrates compassion and consideration for the safety and well-being of the person in need of help. Certainly, this is not always the case, and this is where the involvement of a medical professional or judicial approval is important.

Severe depression is, unfortunately, far too common. And for some, being hospitalized for depression may be the best step in getting help before making decisions they could later regret. While in the hospital, a person who is depressed will have the opportunity to meet with a psychiatrist, psychologist, or social worker and participate in individual therapy and/or group therapy.

Takeaways

Anyone—from family members and friends to police and emergency responders—can recommend short-term emergency detention (commitment) for a person in danger of hurting themself or others, as in the case of being suicidal. However, the exact requirements and criteria for commitment vary from state to state, as does the amount of time a person can be committed.

While emergency commitment can sound frightening, the goal is to allow a person who is not coping well with mental illness to get the help needed to get past the crisis at hand. If you or a loved one are experiencing thoughts of suicide, seek help and make safety and prevention a priority.

If you are dealing with a mentally unstable family member, take steps to learn more about mental illness. Communicate with your loved one about your concerns and encourage them to seek treatment. Finding support for yourself and other family members is also essential. Consider joining a local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) for more information, support, and education programs.