My son is going to a Committment Hearing this Tuesday. He is currently in placement at a mental health center here (a very good private hospital) for 90 days. He really needs this time.

Anyway, the reason for the hearing is that is the only way that Medicaid was going to pay for long term treatment. He tried to commit suicide a couple weeks ago and was placed in short term care. His doctor said that he was very uncomfortable about letting him go, as he still talks about suicide daily (or did back then). I also found out he had been cutting himself.

The reason for my post is to ask if anyone has ever been to one of these hearings and what can I expect. I was told that if it doesn't go right, the judge can either release my son (who will kill himself, he's said so and it's not a bluff and will go on cutting as well) or send him to the State hospital (over my dead body and his. He has heard things from others who have been there and said he would slit his throat before going there).

So what goes on at these hearings?

Thanks.