What is the standard for involuntary commitment?

In Washington, the standard for involuntary commitment is set forth in the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) Chapter 71.05. This law explains how a person can be committed to a mental health facility against their will. In order to involuntarily commit someone, two licensed mental health professionals and a court must all agree that the person poses a serious risk of causing harm to themselves or others. The professional must conduct an evaluation to determine if the person has a mental disorder and is in need of treatment. The court must consider the professional’s evaluation and agree that the person is a danger to themselves or others. The judge will consider the person’s mental health history, recent behavior, and the potential for harm if they remain unsupervised. If the court finds that the person is at imminent risk of harm, then they can be committed to a mental health facility for treatment or be subject to outpatient treatment with strong medications and supervision. The law was designed to protect a person’s rights and ensure that an involuntary commitment is only used when necessary. The commitment process is also designed to allow for someone to appeal the commitment verdict if they feel it is unjustified. It is important to note that the involuntary commitment process is only to be used when absolutely necessary to protect public safety or the safety of the individual.

Related FAQs

What are the rights of mentally ill people in the criminal justice system?
What is the right to confidential mental health care?
What is the right to receive information about a mental health diagnosis?
What rights to privacy do people with mental illness have?
What is the right to a hearing in mental health proceedings?
What rights do families of mentally ill people have?
What is the right to a fair trial in commitment proceedings?
What is the right to know about the risks associated with mental health treatment?
What is the difference between an inpatient and an outpatient mental health facility?
What services are available to families of people with mental illness?

What is the standard for involuntary commitment?

Related FAQs

Related Blog Posts