Mississippi Judgment

The criteria for involuntary hospitalization are as follows: patients must exhibit dangerous behavior toward themselves or others, they must be helpless and unable to provide for their basic daily needs, and there is a danger of essential harm to their mental health if they do not receive mental care.

What happens during an involuntary hold? When a person is detained for up to 72 hours, the emergency facility or hospital is required to do an evaluation of that person, taking into account his/her medical, psychological, educational, social, financial and legal situation.

Call 1-800-273-TALK or text MHA to 741741 if you are in crisis. Look up your local MHA affiliate for services in your area. Find a therapist. Find a support group. Plan for crisis by setting up a Psychiatric Advance Directive. Is hospitalization necessary? Read more about inpatient options.

The laws for Treatment Orders vary by state, but generally speaking, a mental health professional can apply for an order, which must then be approved by a legal authority such as a magistrate or tribunal.

Commitment Process Any citizen of Mississippi can initiate the process by submitting a sworn statement requesting psychiatric treatment for that person. The statement must include strong evidence that the person is dangerous to him or herself or to others by reason of mental illness.

Involuntary Patients You have the right to refuse medical treatment or treatment with medications (except in an emergency) unless a capacity hearing is held and a hearing officer or a judge finds that you do not have the capacity to consent to or refuse treatment.

Any citizen of Mississippi can initiate the process by submitting a sworn statement requesting psychiatric treatment for that person. The statement must include strong evidence that the person is dangerous to him or herself or to others by reason of mental illness.