involuntary committment

Health & Safety

Montana inmates with mental illness languish in jail awaiting treatment before trial

5:00am October 03, 2023

by Aaron Bolton

A long waiting list at Montana's only state-run psychiatric hospital has left inmates untreated and stuck in county jails. To fix it, health officials want changes to involuntary commitment laws.

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Orange County Superior Court Presiding Judge Maria Hernandez says CARE Court will resemble the county's other collaborative courts, like her young adult diversion court, where compassion and science drive her decisions.

At new mental health courts in California, judges will be able to mandate treatment

5:01am September 20, 2023

by April Dembosky

In several California counties, new mental health courts open up in October. Officials hope to persuade people with psychosis to accept treatment. Critics say, it looks more like coercion.

A supporter of pop star Britney Spears participating in a #FreeBritney rally on July 14 in Washington, D.C. When anyone poses a high risk of harm to themselves or others, psychiatrists are obligated to hospitalize them, even against their will. For many p

The Cost Of Forced Psychiatric Care Like Britney Spears Got Can Be Ruinous

9:06am September 27, 2021

by Christopher Magoon

The pop star was forced into psychiatric care — and compelled to pay for it. That could happen to anyone during an episode of serious mental illness, adding a financial threat to the health woes.

Rulennis Munoz (center right) outside Lancaster Courthouse Oct. 14, after learning that the police officer who fatally shot her brother had been cleared of criminal wrongdoing by the Lancaster County District Attorney. Her mother, Miguelina Peña, and her

Health & Safety

During A Mental Health Crisis, A Family's Call To 911 Turns Tragic

5:00am October 29, 2020

by Brett Sholtis

A mother in Lancaster, Pa., tried for years to help her grown son get consistent treatment for schizophrenia. Then, hoping to get him involuntarily committed for care, the family called the police.