Can someone be forced into a psychiatric hospital for suicide?
my father attempted suicide last night and they said they are taking him to a psychiatric hospital. my fear is, he will refuse to go. my question is, can someone in his condition refuse to go? fyi, i live in virginia.
Yes, he will be involuntarily committed which means he can’t sign out. Usually at the hospital ER a psych consult is done and the patient is automatically put on either a 72 hour or 24 hour committment. What this means is that once he is at the psych hospital the attending psychiatrist has 24 hours or 72 hours to assess him. They always continue the involuntary status. After some time, he may be allowed to sign in voluntary. Once voluntary, this is the only time he could sign himself out AMA (against medical advice). A judge can dispute whether a committment is necessary but he won’t be eligable for a hearing until he has been there 10 days.
Since this is his first break he will probably be there for up to 2 weeks an average length of stay is shorter, 4 days. They will get him a lot of help.
Depression is very common and treatable. He will have medication, a social worker, a psychiatrist, med education groups, group therapy, counseling, family sessions, and upon discharge have outpatient follow up appointments.
If you go to visit, try to remember that your dad is still your dad and that the people are regular people that are patients that are going through a tough time right now. It is not a scary place to be, but things are a little different. The unit doors are locked and you will notice that regular items are considered contraband so patients don’t have belts, shoelaces etc, and they are monitored closely.
absolutely YES
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he could be forced to go. and that would be a good thing for him to be in a safe environment while they get him stabilized.
good luck to you, dear. help your dad…be there for him.
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If he is a danger to himself then they can force him in for treatment.
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The law says, give or take, that a person can only be involuntarily committed in they pose a direct threat to themselves or others.
This means that they can force him to stay, but once he says he’s not going to hurt himself or anyone else(either true or a lie), they can’t hold him against his will anymore.
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In Pennsylvania, a person can be involuntarily committed for 72 hours in such a circumstance. That period can be extended after evaluation by mental health professionals. I believe that this is typical of most states. Hopefully, they can help him with his immediate issues, and get him into counseling for long term help.
Good luck with your Dad.
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In the US someone who is a threat to themself or others can be placed on a 72 hour hold. During this time they will be evaluated by a professional to determine if they need to be held longer. Once he is no longer considered a threat he can be released.
Different states call this different things, CA calls it 4748, WY and CO just call it being placed on a hold. But it is a national law that the person is held until they are no longer a threat. If he had taken himself to a hospital and then decided that he wanted to leave and he had not convinced that doctor that he was a threat he could leave.
The best thing that you can do is let your father know that you are there for him. If you care for him as much was you seem to in your question you will want to let him know that you will always care for him no matter what.
If you are concerned about how to handle this situation, you can talk to one of the staff at the hospital he went to, or go to the mental health canter in your area, or call someone from the phone book who is a therapist/counselor.
Best Wishes!!!
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I am a LCSW (licensed clinical social worker) I have been a therapist for 20+ years in several different states
Yes, he will be involuntarily committed which means he can’t sign out. Usually at the hospital ER a psych consult is done and the patient is automatically put on either a 72 hour or 24 hour committment. What this means is that once he is at the psych hospital the attending psychiatrist has 24 hours or 72 hours to assess him. They always continue the involuntary status. After some time, he may be allowed to sign in voluntary. Once voluntary, this is the only time he could sign himself out AMA (against medical advice). A judge can dispute whether a committment is necessary but he won’t be eligable for a hearing until he has been there 10 days.
Since this is his first break he will probably be there for up to 2 weeks an average length of stay is shorter, 4 days. They will get him a lot of help.
Depression is very common and treatable. He will have medication, a social worker, a psychiatrist, med education groups, group therapy, counseling, family sessions, and upon discharge have outpatient follow up appointments.
If you go to visit, try to remember that your dad is still your dad and that the people are regular people that are patients that are going through a tough time right now. It is not a scary place to be, but things are a little different. The unit doors are locked and you will notice that regular items are considered contraband so patients don’t have belts, shoelaces etc, and they are monitored closely.
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Have 20+ years experience working at psychiatric facilities
YES! The Dr. that admits him can put him on a 24 to 72 hour hold, and he can decide if the stay needs to be longer. Any time a person is suicidal, or out of their mind a Dr. can make the decisions for that person. If a person is not of sound mind (being suicidal is not of sound mind) Doctors and police can make decisions for the person, no matter what they want.
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I have to take a Bi-polar1 person to the mental hospital every year and a few times they were refusing to go and the police had to restrain them and take them in. This is in Indiana, not Virginia though.
if he is not co operating with them then YES.
i have found myself in this situation so many times…. you must get 2 doctors to agree he is a danger to himself or other people and then they will section him.
the degree of the sectioning depends on the situation itself! as long as he poses a risk he WILL not be leaving!
the like below will help you!
http://www.thesite.org/healthandwellbeing/mentalhealth/treatments/beingsectioned
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i was a few years ago and i live in texas
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If they section him, they can force him to go into hospital.
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I was put in over 96 hours, and they were thinking of making me stay longer. I had 52 stitches in my arms. They do not take this stuff lightly, he needs help, medication and support.
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Yes, he can be committed to a psychiatric hospital against his will, but in most states, you will need the intervention of a mental health care provider and/or the court. If the suicide attempt is reported to the police, they have the contacts and the authority to initiate the commitment process.
If you have a family doctor, contact him or her, if needs be. They can always help you with the situation, too.
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Friend who’s a nurse practitioner in the mental health care field.
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