What are my discharge rights from a 24-hour mental health facility?

You have the right to actively participate in your treatment

You (or your legal guardian) and the internal advocate have the right to attend and actively participate in creating your treatment plan. This plan must be reviewed by staff at least once every three months and you have a right to review your plan at any time.

Your treatment plan must include a written discharge plan. This must give you information on how and where to receive treatment, food, housing, employment, etc., in the community after your release.

You have the right to know your legal status

Your rights can depend on whether or not you are a “voluntary” or “involuntary.” If you are unsure, ask your internal advocate or your social worker.

Voluntary patients without a guardian

A “voluntary” patient means that you willfully chose to admit yourself into the facility for treatment. In general, voluntary patients shall be released at their own request. However, once admitted, there is a process to being discharged. You cannot simply walk out or leave whenever you choose. At any time the doctor or judge determines that you no longer need treatment from the hospital, you must be released.

Discharge process

Your discharge request must be in writing. Request the discharge form from the facility. Ask for help if you need assistance filling it out.

The hospital may hold you for up to 72 hours, during which time one of three things may happen.

1. The hospital agrees with your request:

  • You get to leave.

2. The hospital thinks you should stay.

  • The hospital can file a statement with the court asking to commit you to the hospital involuntarily. You will be given notice of this court hearing.

3. The hospital does nothing.

  • You must be released.

Voluntary patients with a guardian

You can also be a voluntary patient if your legal guardian chose to admit you into the facility for treatment. If your guardian voluntarily admits you to a facility for treatment, you must be given a judicial hearing within 10 days of arriving at the hospital. The court will decide whether or not you are actually in need of treatment at the facility.

To remain at the facility, you must both:

  • Have a mental illness AND
  • Be a danger to yourself or others.

Once admitted, there is a process to being discharged. You cannot  simply walk out or leave whenever you choose. In general, voluntary patients with a guardian shall be released at the request of their legal guardian. At any time the doctor or judge determines that you no longer need treatment from the hospital, you must be released.

Discharge Process:

Your guardian must provide a written discharge. The hospital then has up to 72 hours, during which time they may:

  1. Agree with your guardian’s request and discharge you; or
  2. Refuse your guardian’s request and continue to keep you. If your guardian insists that your release is in your best interest and the hospital refuses, your guardian may ask the court for a hearing for your discharge.

Involuntary patients

The biggest difference between a “voluntary” patient and an “involuntary” patient is that an involuntary patient is kept at the hospital against his/her wishes. If you have been involuntarily committed for mental health treatment, you must be given an initial judicial hearing within 10 days of being taken into custody. You must be represented by an attorney. If you can’t afford one, one will be appointed to you.

  • You have the right to appear at this hearing, but you may waive this right if the court agrees.

If the court finds you need treatment

If the court finds that you need treatment, they may order an initial commitment for up to 90 days. Before the end of this initial 90-day commitment period, you must have a rehearing. If the court finds that you still need treatment, they may continue your inpatient commitment for up to 180 days. Before the end of this second 180-day commitment period, you must have a second rehearing. At this and any later rehearings, the court may continue your inpatient commitment for up to 365-day periods.

  • You have the right to appeal a final determination of the court.

Two exceptions to these procedures

Not guilty by reason of insanity

If you are automatically committed to a facility because you were found “not guilty by reason of insanity” at a criminal trial, your initial judicial hearing after being committed must take place within 50 days.

The hearing and rehearing procedures for “not guilty by reason of insanity” are the same as the commitment procedures above; however, the burden of proof has been shifted to you.

In order to be discharged, you must prove to the court that you either (1) no longer have a mental illness, or (2) are no longer dangerous. You will only be discharged when the court thinks you have met your burden for either of these.

Incapable to proceed

If you are automatically committed to a facility because you were found “incapable to proceed” before a criminal trial, you cannot leave the hospital until a judge determines that you are now capable of proceeding. Even if your doctor recommends discharge, you still must have a hearing before a judge. If you are discharged, you will most likely return to jail to wait for your trial.