Browse by Category

Programs that provide a mechanism for mobile emergency response in situations where an individual's mental or emotional condition results in behavior which constitutes an imminent danger to him or herself or to another and the person is unwilling to seek voluntary treatment. The program conducts an immediate assessment of the psychological condition and functioning of the individual and can issue an order which authorizes involuntary hospitalization for a specified period of time for the purposes of observation and treatment. A request for intervention can be made by family members, community residents and/or community agencies.

Programs that are involved in the process of obtaining a court order that directs an individual with a serious mental disorder to adhere to a prescribed outpatient treatment plan as a condition for remaining in the community. The order may require that the person attend therapy sessions, comply with a medication regime, or participate in mental health programs; and may direct that the individual be hospitalized if the outpatient treatment order is not followed in situations where the criteria for involuntary hospitalization are met; or may be issued as a condition for the release of a patient who has been involuntarily hospitalized. In some jurisdictions, voluntary compliance with the treatment plan is required unless the person is found "incapable of consenting" under the law. In others, outpatient commitment orders are issued as a stay of involuntary hospitalization proceedings as a way of encouraging voluntary outpatient treatment. If the patient complies fully with the required outpatient treatment plan during the stay of the proceeding, the petition for commitment is dismissed. If the patient fails to comply with the outpatient treatment plan, the proceeding is reconvened and a commitment order is generally issued.

Mobile psychiatric emergency teams composed of designated mental health workers (psychiatrists, RN's, MSW's, psychologists, psychiatric technicians) in any combination which intervene in situations where an individual's mental or emotional condition results in behavior which constitutes an imminent danger to him or herself or to another and is unwilling to seek voluntary treatment. These teams are generally operated by county mental health agencies and have the authority to issue an order which authorizes involuntary inpatient hospitalization for up to 72 hours.