Report finds overuse of involuntary commitments in North Carolina

A new report from a state advocacy group for people with disabilities finds that involuntary commitment is overused and can be potentially damaging to those in a mental crisis. 

Disability Rights North Carolina says involuntary commitment is a forced treatment method that should only be a last resort. 

But the report from the group says that’s not how it's being used. And its overuse can leave patients without proper treatment or due process.

Corye Dunn, director of public policy for the organization, says there is a role for involuntary commitments, but it should be harder to confine people against their will.

“What we want is to make sure that the system acknowledges that there are real costs to involuntary commitment,” she says. “Human costs. Legal costs. Financial costs. And we should be figuring those in.”

The report cites several ways to improve the system for handling people with mental health needs. They include more screening and using less restrictive measures more often.