U.S. involuntary mental health commitment statutes: requirements for persons perceived to be a potential harm to self

The civil commitment statutes of all 50 states and the District of Columbia were reviewed to determine: (1) What is required for a person who is believed to be at serious and imminent risk of self-harm to be eligible for involuntary hospitalization; and (2) Whether an attempt to involuntarily hospitalize was required or was merely an option when the requirements found in number 1 were met. The analysis revealed that nearly 85% of the jurisdictions require dangerousness to self to be the result of a mental illness, and only two jurisdictions mandate attempts at involuntary commitment if a person is deemed to be an imminent harm to self. These results have implications for practice with individuals who are suicidal.