Hi Diane,
I live in Maine, but my son lives in NH, thank goodness, where the mental health system is far superior to what’s available in Maine. 19 years ago, I was granted guardianship over him, so when he decided to go off his meds a year ago, I was able to get him (it took a few months) back into the hospital on an involuntary commitment and to force him to take meds again. At first they had to inject him - he was so angry and violent - not his normal behavior at all. After a few weeks in the hospital, he is back to his regular sweet self again. He has to report to the mental health center every week to get his meds and to see a counselor. I am grateful, each and every day, for the Mobile Crisis Unit and the courts that enabled me to help him. As I see it, getting guardianship is crucial to being able to help our children. Best of luck to you, Barbara
What was going on when the Mobile Crisis Unit went to where he was. I just spoke with an organization here who said the Mobile Crisis Unit would likely not go to my son.
Hi Diane,
My son had applied for a Termination of Guardianship and I had filed an Objection to this. We had a court date of May 6th. He didn’t show up for court and the judge took us aside and told us, off the record, to go to the city where he lived, to the mental health clinic there, and fill out a form - in NH it’s called a ‘Prayer and Complaint’ form - and take it to the police department. We did so and they sent out the Mobile Crisis Unit to pick him up and take him to the hospital for evaluation. He was so violent when they went there that they had to put him in four point restraints and inject him with a sedative in order to control him enough to transport him. This happened last May after he had gone off his meds in January. It was horrible. He was so bad that even though there was, at that time, a list of 67 people waiting for a bed in the psychiatric hospital, he was moved to the top of the list. As his guardian, I was able to force him to take medications - at first they had to restrain him and inject him - but after a few days he started to cooperate and take them orally. It took a few weeks for him to come back and he was in the hospital for two months, but now is living independently again and working. He is on a Conditional Discharge for five years, which is sort of like being on parole - he has to report to the mental health center weekly, be medication compliant and not go out of state - if he violates any of these conditions he will be hospitalized again. Getting legal guardianship over him was the best thing we could have done.
I am going to look into this. At what point in his illness did you do this?
Northern suburb of Chicago, Illinois US
In my opinion, we need to step in at any stage where they cannot make rational or reasonable decisions for themselves. Once they are better and are no longer exhibiting signs that they will self harm or harm others, I think we can reconsider but We have never been at that sweet spot with my son since his illness. I am hopeful that as he gets older some of his delusions will lesson.
Hi Diane,
I don’t think I answered your question. My son was diagnosed at age 19 and was in and out of hospitals - on and off meds, for several years. He was 29 or 30 when I finally was awarded guardianship. We found a lawyer who worked with nothing but these types of cases and the judge was a warm, compassionate man. My best to you. I hope you can find the help you need.
Barbara
I’m from Atlanta,GA USA
Good info!
NorCal here. 
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I’m in Uk too london
Western Washington here. My 22 year old son is in the forensic unit at the State hospital on an NGRI.
Chicago. USA. Chicago USA Chicago Illinois
Florida, the Baker Act applies here for 72 hr involuntary holds for “dangerous to self or others” but it is very hard to enforce medication on an adult here after they leave the hospital.
This is heartbreaking. Not to be too political but the guise of “civil liberty” completely fails the mentally ill in states like Texas. Law makers need more education
The foundation of community care is voluntary participation - doesn’t work for the 4% sickest.
And…
The opposition to involuntary commitment and treatment betrays a profound misunderstanding of the principal of civil liberties. Medication can free victims from their illness, free them from the Bastille of their psychosis and restore their dignity, their free will, and the meaningful exericise of their liberties.
Herschel Hardin, 1993
These are some of the truths that I hold self evident.
I live in the Portland, Oregon Metro area.
Western Washington State.
We’re in Westerville, Ohio
I’m also from Western Washington, near Olympia.
Also from Western Washington.