Professional
Formal
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
involuntary commitment
Legal process by which a person is detained for psychiatric treatment against their will.
Full Definition
Involuntary commitment is a legal procedure that allows psychiatric facilities to detain and treat individuals who are deemed to pose a danger to themselves or others, or who are gravely disabled due to mental illness. This process requires court approval or certification by qualified mental health professionals and involves specific legal protections for the patient. The criteria and procedures vary by jurisdiction but generally require clear and convincing evidence of mental illness and dangerousness.
Usage
Usage note: Use 'involuntary commitment' rather than 'involuntary hold' in formal documentation.
In Context
- "The patient was placed under involuntary commitment after threatening self-harm during the crisis evaluation." — psychiatric assessment report
- "Legal documentation must be completed within 72 hours of involuntary commitment initiation." — hospital policy manual
Also known as
involuntary hold
psychiatric hold
mental health hold
Contrasted with
voluntary admission
voluntary commitment
Don't confuse with
voluntary commitment
emergency detention