I have a friend with a brother who has clear signs of mental illness. It is very, very serious. It sounds to me like schizophrenia, but I'm not an expert. He is a danger to himself and others. What are the requirements for getting someone institutionalized? Can my friend do it himself? Will the hospital make the pick-up?
And is there any websites that answer questions like these, if you know of any, any help would be appreciated, thank you.
2007-04-24 18:16:38 · 9 answers · asked by xtragicallyxbeautifulx 3 in Health ➔ Mental Health
It varies from state to state. Here in CA, it is very difficult to get someone involuntarily committed. It can only happen if they are a danger to themselves or others, and once the suicidal/homicidal tendencies go away they can be released. Otherwise, the only way to get someone to be committed is to convince them to go voluntarily, which is very difficult with schizophrenia, especially the paranoid variety.
If he is threatening to kill himself, or hurt others, you need to call 911. Otherwise, there is not much you can do. Your friend can try to convince his brother to go, but it is an uphill battle. Your friend needs all the support you can give right now!
2007-04-24 20:21:24 · answer #1 · answered by jellybeanchick 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
National Association for the Mental Ill, NAMI, is a great site.
IF the person thinks they need help the person should go to a local mental health center and request help or call a crisis center or even go to an ER. Only a professional can make the legal determination if the person is a danger to themselves or others.
2007-04-24 18:24:25 · answer #2 · answered by banananose_89117 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is not as easy as you would think to get someone institutionalized. If they have made any threats to kill themself, harm themself, or kill or harm someone else, then you have a really good chance of getting them admitted if you take them to the emergency room, and the doctor determines that they need to be admitted. You cannot personally, nor can your friend take someone to an institution and sign them in for treatment. Without a referral from a physician, the only way someone can be admitted for treatment is if they sign themself in, admitting that they need and want help, and if there is room for them in that particular institution.
Another thing to take into consideration is that many hospitals try to avoid sending people to institutions because most insurance companies will not pay for mental illness and a person being "committed". Yes, unfortunately, like everything else in this country the inability to pay often keeps people who really need help from getting the help that they need.
You say that he is a danger to himself and others, has he clearly shown signs that make him physically dangerous to others? If not, good luck getting anywhere to take him. Right now, particularly in states with large military populations, the mental institutions are packed with soldiers who came back from Iraq and are having a difficult time dealing with life (can you blame them) so some mental institutions even have waiting lists to get into them.
Some doctors will give you the "we can't help until he does something" run around. It's really a tough system, and you have to stay on top of it to make sure that a person is not ignored. The easiest way to get someone committed is to take them to the emergency room after they have threatened suicide or threatened to kill or harm someone else. As long as they don't lie to the doctor to talk their way out of it, there is a good chance of them being committed, if they can find a bed someplace to put him in.
Good luck!
2007-04-24 20:31:16 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The laws differ greatly by state. It is not as easy as you think to have this done. Many times they are only kept for a short time with a referral to a private doctor. Unless there is proper follow-up, the person goes back to the way he/she was before the short treatment.
When and if this is done, however, the police usually make the pick up, sometimes along with the EMTs.
2007-04-24 19:46:13 · answer #4 · answered by Patti C 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Any adult can take a bus to the local MH ward and sign themselves in. In the olden days The king payed a ransom for reporting mental illness in the village.
2007-04-24 18:53:37 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I will put it like this...
from personal experience here in Virginia
If someone says they are going to kill themselves or you think there are a threat to themselves or others call 911 and get was is known as an "emergency custody order".. age dosent matter... the police will take him to be evaluated and then they go from there...
Good luck and God bless
2007-04-25 10:29:10 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
NAMI is the organization to go through. but basically if he a danger to himself or others he can go try to admit himself and he will be admitted if he tells them that he is. otherwise you have to file a petition a the local court ( it has to be done by the person who heard the threat) they can pick him up and take him to the possible
2007-04-25 04:08:27 · answer #7 · answered by alicia b 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Normally you need a Dr. or member of law enforcement to have someone committed. No, your friend can't do it him/herself.
2007-04-24 18:29:58 · answer #8 · answered by garfieldkat 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
just call 1-800-mental
They are very friendly to speak with
2007-04-24 18:21:07 · answer #9 · answered by Shuggah Pie Sweets 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋