(US) Under what circumstances can a person be forced to enter a facility for having a mental illness?
<p>Though this question would be great to know for various legal systems, I'm tagging this with <a href="/questions/tagged/united-states" class="post-tag" title="show questions tagged &#39;united-states&#39;" rel="tag">united-states</a> since it will likely be complicated enough with just a single country being considered.</p>

<p>When can someone be legally required to enter a facility because of their mental illness? Are there particular diagnoses that would be enough? Would they have to commit a crime first? Could a doctor require it of them?</p>

<p>The primary reason for involuntary commitment is that a person poses <strong>a threat to themselves or others</strong>.</p>

<p>This is usually intentionally broad, but can be taken to mean suicidal, delusional or homicidal tendencies, or other personality disorders that make a person a threat.</p>

<p>There are usually provisions for holding a person for a limited period of time in emergency situations - for example, if they have recently attempted to commit suicide.</p>

<p>Each State will have different standards required to have a person involuntarily committed beyond this emergency period. However, in general, if a person is a danger to themselves or others unable to provide for themselves, <em>and</em> will continue to be without assistance, then they will meet the criteria for involuntary commitment.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.treatmentadvocacycenter.org/storage/documents/State_Standards_Charts_for_Assisted_Treatment_-_Civil_Commitment_Criteria_and_Initiation_Procedures.pdf">This chart</a> has some elaborated and detailed information, state-by-state.</p>

united-states mental-health