Involuntary Commitment: A Humanitarian Treatment

What is it about?

Discussions about involuntary commitment often overlook lifesaving treatment that comes with inpatient hospitalization. As inpatient psychiatrists treating people with severe mental illness in the NYC metro area, we share our experiences firsthand on how involuntary commitment, when used scrupulously, can lead to inpatient treatment positively altering the course of a person’s disease trajectory. Here we discuss relevant court cases, the role of parens patriae, the role of inpatient treatment, and the need for robust outpatient support and treatment.

Featured Image