The 5150 hold is a legal authorization for mental health professionals to detain individuals who have been deemed a danger to themselves or others. It is named after the California Welfare and Institutions Code, section 5150, which outlines the criteria for involuntary psychiatric confinement. The hold can only be initiated by licensed mental health professionals or law enforcement officials who have been trained in the evaluation and management of potentially dangerous individuals. Once a person has been placed on hold, they can be held in a designated facility for up to 72 hours for evaluation and treatment. During this period, mental health professionals will assess the individual’s condition and determine if further treatment is necessary or if they can be safely released. The hold is used as a last resort when an individual’s mental health issues have escalated to the point where they pose a significant risk to themselves or others.