Questions about "forced" committment to mental health facility in Washington State???

Question

Long story short, my dad's been clinically depressed for a few months. Committed himself June 1st because having suicidal thoughts. ER said he could or they would, when mom took him to hospital. Stayed 1 week, cheeked meds, lied to get out, went home and got worse. Yesterday he disappeared, suprisingly the police took report immediatly. They found him 10 pm at park trying to kill himself (don't know details yet). Spent night in hospital.

QUESTION- Will the he be "forcefully" committed? He needs help, and for reasons too long to explain mom cannot seem to put her foot down. Anyone know the law specific to Washington State?

Answer 1

Revised Code of Washington (RCW)

http://www1.dshs.wa.gov/mentalhealth/regulations.shtml

Chapter 71.05 RCW - Provides for persons suffering from mental disorders to be involuntarily committed for treatment and sets forth that procedures and services be integrated with Chapter 71.24 RCW.

Read this site for the regulations in Washington State.

Answer 2

You would get a better answer under a law and ethics category. Most states consider being a "danger to oneself or to others" as grounds for involuntary commitment. Try the Washington State .gov web sites, in particular the law codes.

I am a lifelong mentally ill person who has resided in Washington State for over 15 years. Washington state has, in my estimation, one of the poorest mental health programs, apart from the Veterans Administration Hospitals there, that I have seen. Western State Hospital in Lakewood is a "snake pit."

If you can convince him to get psychological counseling outside the State hospitals and can afford it I recommend doing that. Your family doctor can best recommend a psychologist or psychiatrist. Self commitment is better than court commitment in any case but one must cooperate with the mental health staff when there in order for them to be able to do any good. Otherwise it's just a "bed and breakfast" facility.

Good luck with your father, good health to you three, peace and love!

Answer 3

Well, I live in Washington and have my fair share of mental hospital run ins, and there is no way a person can be forced into a mental hospital unless they are found attempting to kill themseves- in which case they have to stay a minimum of three days (then you can leave). Because suicide is still seen as a crime, the state has the authority to order you into a mental hospital for those three days. Then you are free to go.

When your dad went in to the hospital previously, he was probably just worried that he would act on his feelings and attempt, but he was not forced to do it.

Answer 4

I would suggest getting copies of the papers and seeing a laywer. and maybe resending the papers before they get a judge to sign his life over to them.