Commitment Hearing

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.

I never attended them but have had them done on me. Basically the judge is going to look at all the information of why the hearing was called and if the professionals he is seeing right now feel he needs more inpatient treatment if so he will sign the commitment papers for involuntary commitment. Where he goes from there depends on availability of beds. Since he is already in one facility if it is a mental health unit not just a normal hospital ward then he will be able to stay there. if where he is right now is not a mental health unit he will be moved to the nearest mental health unit with a free bed. Since he is on insurance the facility that he stays at or is sent to has to be on that insurance approved list or that hospital unit must accept that insurance or you pay out of pocket or he can't go there. just the way it is when on insurance plans. You go where they tell you or you pay out of pocket on your own.

Welcome to PC karenftx... I hope things work out for you and your son...

I have never been to a commitment hearing but would like to wish you and your son good luck. Hope it works out well for you.

Re all the support:

Sorry so late to respond, but it's been crazy here (pardon the pun).

The hearing went well. I guess since everyone including my son is in agreement with the need for hospitalization, the case was decided in about 3 minutes. My son gave a speech about "balancing out" and "wanting to be whole again" that impressed the heck out of the court.

Anyway, now he's in the hospital (a really good private one) on a 90 day committment and seems to be doing well.

Thanks for all the support again.

((((((((((((((karen and son))))))))))))))))

I'm so glad that you have the peace in knowing that son is safe and that he's actually in favor of it himself! You know that he knows something is wrong somewhere and wants help to fix it. How awesome!

Thank you so much for letting us know! I wish you and your son the absolute best here.

Keep us updated!

KD