Posted by fca on September 27, 2006, at 14:53:31
In reply to Suicide Attempts, posted by Triolian on September 26, 2006, at 22:47:50
I am not aware of any accedited psychiatric facilities that use (or would use) pepper spray as part of security or risk management. I have seen patients where a spray was used by police or private security but never a health professional. Almost any facility that accepts medicaid or medicare (which is almost all of them) must be accredited or at least licensed. Further, no one is ever going to be held for 72 years. All States have standards for involuntary emergency detention before a court hearing--these are usually 24, 48. or 72 hours depending on the specific situation and who is doing the involuntary holding. Once there is a hearing I am unaware of any Court ordered hospitalization in excess of 90 days (most of 30 days) unless it is a forensic patient. In the case of the latter there would have been numerous due process protections as part of the criminal process. It has been my experience that a much more frequent complaint is being unable to get into, or stay, in hospital rather than being detained or not admitted. I am sorry it was traumatic for you--there are very humane and civil ways to accomplish involuntary detention.
You are right on one issue--if you really want to commit suicide one should expect any professional to take steps to interfer with that decision. I am not discussing suicide associated with euthanasia and terminal illnesses. I am only talking about those associated with mental illnesses. Common law (in some cases statutory law) and most professional licensing bodies would require an affirmative action on the part of the professional to prevent the suicide.
poster:fca
thread:689496
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060927/msgs/689621.html