Does a person with mental illness have the right to refuse antipsychotic medication?

Yes, a person with mental illness in Tennessee does have the right to refuse antipsychotic medication. The Tennessee Mental Health Law states that it is against the law to force someone to take medication without their consent. The law also states that a person with mental illness has the right to refuse medication unless a court orders that they take it. Under the law, only a court of competent jurisdiction can order the involuntary administration of antipsychotic drugs, and only after an individual has been found to have a serious mental illness or disorder and is deemed to pose a danger to themselves or others. The court must also find that the use of such drugs poses a less restrictive and more effective alternative than any other nonmedicinal treatment. If an individual refuses to take the medication, the court can only order its administration if they find that the medication is necessary for the protection of the health and safety of the individual or for the protection of the public. Overall, a person with a mental illness in Tennessee does have the right to refuse antipsychotic medication. The court can only order its use if the individual is deemed to be a danger to themselves or others, and the court finds that the use of the drugs is necessary for the protection of the individual or the public.

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Does a person with mental illness have the right to refuse antipsychotic medication?

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