“How to Help Friend Involuntarily Committed in NY Psych Ward?”
#mentalhealth #hospitalization #involuntarycommitment #anxiety #depression #NY #helpfriend
Have you ever had a friend who was involuntarily committed to a psychiatric hospital? It can be a confusing and distressing situation. In this case, M27 was taken to the psych ward after having a bad reaction to medication. Here’s how you can help:
Understanding the Situation
– My friend M27 was involuntarily committed to a psych ward in NY 2 nights ago.
– He went to the hospital due to a reaction to prescribed medication, but they wouldn’t let him leave.
Seeking Legal Advice
– It’s important to consult with a legal professional who specializes in mental health law.
– In NY, there are specific laws regarding involuntary commitment that your friend may be able to use.
Gathering Evidence
– Gather any documentation, medical records, and witness statements that support your friend’s case.
– This evidence can be crucial in proving that he doesn’t require psychiatric treatment.
Advocating for Release
– Work with healthcare professionals, social workers, and legal experts to advocate for your friend’s release.
– Keep communication channels open with the hospital staff and mental health professionals involved in his care.
By following these steps and seeking the appropriate help and advice, you can support your friend in navigating the challenges of involuntary commitment. Remember, it’s essential to prioritize his well-being and advocate for his rights during this difficult time.
When you say “bad reaction”, what do you mean?
If there’s psych concerns and he was trying to leave, yes, that’s reason for involuntary hold.
You do not have all of the information. No one can help you with this because there are huge missing facts.
He didn’t get put on a psych hold for what you described. You don’t know the entire story.
they don’t take the involuntary thing lightly, it’s a full on court hearing with the argument being made to a magistrate. This is to keep the patient safe… there’s a reason why it’s hard to do but once it happens (and tbh a couple of weeks seems like there was a huge reason present at the time of treatment ) it’s is near impossible to get out of. That’s by design.
You’re not involuntarily committed for those reasons. I have been to many a psych ward now and they’re not going to just shove you in because of symptoms and you trying to leave. If you’re in the US unless your friend is honest, HIPAA is going to prevent you from getting the full story and you’ll never know why he got committed. He also can’t just “get out” by the way. The more you bug them about leaving the more likely you are going to be held for longer because of fear that you just want to leave to hurt yourself.
Unless you have been placed on a hold or are there from a prison, everyone is free to leave the hospital Against Medical Advice. They will ask you to sign a piece of paper that says you know that you potentially in danger by doing so. The level of impairment needed to just drug you and cart you off is huge. It is not a thing hospitals do very often at all as it is very difficult to justify after the fact. They let people go who are most definitely a danger to themselves. I can’t guess what the story really is but people simply do not go to the er and end up confined there unable to leave. There must be much more info you don’t have.
As others are saying, you probably don’t have the full story.
I work in a psychiatric hospital and regularly place people on involuntary holds. It varies by state but the only way my colleagues and I are able to is if we have concern that someone presents with imminent risks to themselves or others.
Realistically, your friend either disclosed feeling suicidal and was unable to effectively make a safety plan, or they received credible and concerning collateral information along similar lines.
In my experience its really common for people to majorly downplay the seriousness of their struggles when it becomes apparent in a hospital setting. I mention this because it’s common that I interview someone who had a major suicide attempt only for them to tell all their family and friends that the hospital is overreacting, they weren’t actually that bad, because well being in a psychiatric hospital sucks, especially if you still really want to die.
Also, you have to be told and explained why you were placed on a hold. If he was genuinely so confused that he couldn’t understand that they placed him on an involuntary hold and tried to leave repeatedly, that might speak to his state at the time.
You are not doing anything to get him out faster. But most states have an investigation process when someone is committed or held, which frequently includes speaking to their friends and family to get more information, id talk with your friend about being a collateral contact.
I’m not in your state, but I evaluate psych patients who come into our ED to see if they need to be put on the psych unit/involuntarily held. Your friend is leaving a lot out. It happens all the time. Whatever it was that got him put there, he doesn’t want to tell you for some reason.
A psychward isn’t gonna hold somebody past 72 hours Unless there are evident signs that they need care for an extended period
You are either being disingenuous here, or don’t have all the information. The threshold for keeping someone on a psych hold is incredibly high. Even for the initial hold. It means he has demonstrated that he is either an active and ongoing danger to himself, or others. And has demonstrated that danger to enough medical personnel for a psych evaluation. And then demonstrated that behavior to a psychiatrist. Once he’s stable and no longer a danger he’ll be cut loose and let go. Even if it’s in his best interest to stay. The initial hold is 72 hours where I live.