Revolving through the emergency commitment door
http://mhlp.fmhi.usf.edu/mhlp/images/File/Christy_Vita_Oct08b.pdf
Abstract
Research Objective: Emergency commitment is the topic of this study. Florida’s statutory language for emergency commitment is similar to most state statutes in that is requires evidence of a) mental illness and b) harm to self, harm to others, and or self neglect. Persons must either not consent to voluntary treatment or not be competent to consent to voluntary treatment for an emergency commitment to be initiated. Emergency commitments may be initiated by law enforcement officials, mental health professionals and via exparte order of a judge. They may last up to 72 hours. Florida is the only state that possesses encounter level, client identified data on emergency commitment. The objective of this study is to provide information about patterns of repeated emergency commitment and reasons why people cycle in and out of emergency commitment.
