Here's a link to a DU mental health OP if anyone wants to chime in

[Tx4obama]

Here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002989720

[Tobin S.]

1. The problem of getting help for mentally ill people can be (cross post from your GD thread)

that when you and your family member walk through the door of the emergency room, you are both complete strangers to everyone working there. If your mentally ill relative all of the sudden starts acting sane when you get her to the hospital and she refuses treatment, there isn't much that can be done and the hospital worker really may not know who to believe.

I've been hospitalized three times because of my bipolar disorder and it was all voluntary. I've been well now for 9 years. You are right in that you cannot force an adult to be hospitalized for mental health problems, but I think that's a good thing. Imagine if you could. Just think about it a little.