What is the right to an independent evaluation before being committed?

The right to an independent evaluation before being committed is an important part of Virginia’s mental health law. This means that, before an individual can be involuntarily committed to a mental health facility, they must have a chance to have their case reviewed by an independent mental health professional. This professional must be from a source that is separate from the facility where the individual may be committed. This independent evaluation provides a number of important safeguards and helps ensure that individuals are not involuntarily committed without cause. The evaluation gives the individual the chance to present their own side of the story and explain why they don’t require involuntary commitment. The independent professional can then weigh the facts and reach a decision separate and apart from the institution. The right to an independent evaluation also helps ensure that individuals do not end up committed to a mental health facility due to discrimination or other inappropriate reasons. This right is an invaluable protection for individuals in Virginia, and it is important to remember that everyone has the right to it.

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What is the right to an independent evaluation before being committed?

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