Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Involuntary commitment refers to the legal process by which individuals with mental illnesses are involuntarily admitted to a psychiatric hospital or facility against their will, typically due to concerns about their safety or the safety of others.
Related terms
Civil Liberties: These are individual rights and freedoms protected by law, but in cases of involuntary commitment, certain civil liberties may be temporarily restricted for the sake of safety.
Mental Health Hold: This term refers to a temporary period during which an individual can be held in a psychiatric facility without consent for evaluation and treatment.
Least Restrictive Alternative: The principle that states that mental health professionals should consider less intrusive options before resorting to involuntary commitment.