if u call an ambulance when he is having an episode, they will take him to the hospital-same with the police. at the hospital they can put an mandatory 72 hour hold on him which means he cant sign himself out. after 72 hrs.,if the staff believes he needs further treatment, they will take his case to court where a judge will make that ruling. obviously if he is trying to kill himself when u call for help, three days later they wont release him b/c he is still considered a threat to himself-which no judge in their right mind would let them go (them being a suicidal person) hospitals are not torture chambers to lock up emotionally struggling people- they are there to protect people from harm to themselves. do what u need to. i do believe he does need the help he can get from a psychiatric hospital-he wont be happy with u at first but once he gets treatment and is back to himself-he will thank u. and u will feel better knowing he is somewhere safe from the suicidal thoughts he has-he cannot kill himself in the hospital-he can only get help! take care sweetie! keep me informed