A 5150 Psychiatric Hold is a legal term used to describe a situation in which an individual has been deemed to be a danger to themselves or others and is taken into custody for evaluation and treatment. This is typically done when a person is exhibiting signs of severe mental illness and is unable to make rational decisions. The individual is placed on a 72-hour hold and evaluated by a mental health professional to determine if they need to be hospitalized. During this time, the individual may receive medication and other treatments to help stabilize their condition. It is important to understand the basics of this hold in order to ensure that the individual receives the care they need and that their rights are respected. The process begins when a law enforcement officer, mental health professional, or family member contacts the local mental health department and requests a psychiatric hold be placed on the individual. Once the hold is approved, the individual is transported to a designated mental health facility for evaluation and treatment.
