About legal guardians and forced hospitalization?

Question

Hello,
I'm writing a short story, and I would like to know if a legal guardian of a teenager (between the ages of fifteen and seventeen) who had attempted suicide (but failed) could commit the child to a mental hospital against their will? What would happen in that situation?
Any information you can give me would be extremely helpful.
Thank you very much for your time,
Henrietta

Answer 1

Yes, that can happen. Because the child is under 18, the legal guardian can sign the teenager into the hospital, even if the teenager refuses. In a case like this, the police sometimes will bring the teenager to the ER to be evaluated and then possibly admitted. Sometimes the guardian will bring the teenager to the ER for assessment. It just depends on the situation. The police are more likely to be involved if the guardian is concerned for the safety of the teenager and other people in the house. If the teenager is violent, the police are often involved.

The ER would assess whether the teenager is likely to re-attempt suicide by asking if they're still having suicidal thoughts, and what kind of plan they have. Since they already tried once and failed, they would likely be admitted. A judge can place a 72 hour hold (also known as an emergency detention order, or EDO) on the teenager to stay in the hospital so as to assess if the teenager is likely to harm him/herself or others.

Answer 2

A person of 15 or 17 is legally a minor in the USA, so their decisions would be made by a parent or guardian. The commitment would be considered "Minor by Parent" or "Minor by Guardian" or "Minor by Legal Custodian." It's up to the psychiatrist to decide when the person can be discharged.

A person younger that 18 can make their own decisions if they are considered an emancipated minor (married and/or self-supporting by working).

If the person attempted suicide and the police got involved, the court can order a commitment to a psychiatric hospital but this has to be approved by a judge (the police don't have that authority). It usually lasts 72 hours in my state. It can be extended if the doctor has reason to believe the individual is still at risk of harming himself or others.

I never heard of a psychologist having the authority to admit anyone to a hospital under any circumstances; it has to be a psychiatrist (medical doctor).

Answer 3

A doctor, psychologist and even the police can have someone committed to a mental health facility against their will for 48 hours, depending on state laws, if they are considered an immediate danger to themselves or others. In my state, it is the above. During the 48 hours the person must undergo an evaluation to determine if they are a danger to themselves or others. If it is deemed that they continue to be danger to themselves or others, they can be remanded to the court for a further stay and a lawyer advocate would be assigned to them if they could not afford one. A guardian may need the help of a police officer, doctor, or psychologist.

Answer 4

if you do not want to get involved even though you being a legal guardian (depending on the law in your state) you can a doctor social worker psychologist police officer anytime she is trying to hurt herself or others they have the authority to admit her into the hospital with or without your OK.

Answer 5

yes they could.
as long as the doctors of the facilities said there was an actual problem and what-not.
if they don't say okie dokie to the guardian then nobody can be forced into it...
sounds like a good short story. very weird and realistic

Answer 6

yes they can