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Diversion to the mental health system: emergency psychiatric evaluations

Jeffrey S Janofsky1, Anthony C Tamburello

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, The Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. jjanofsky@jhu.edu

The Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law
|October 13, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Maryland

Area of Science:

  • Forensic Psychiatry
  • Public Mental Health Policy

Background:

  • In Maryland, citizens can petition for involuntary psychiatric evaluation.
  • Emergency petitions are utilized for individuals exhibiting concerning behaviors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the characteristics of individuals referred to Johns Hopkins Hospital via emergency petitions.
  • To explore the potential of this process as a jail diversion program for mentally ill citizens.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective chart review of 300 individuals referred on emergency petitions.
  • Analysis of petition characteristics, including threats of self-harm and dangerousness to others.

Main Results:

  • 61% of petitions cited threats of self-harm.
  • 47% of petitions described individuals with potential for arrest but diverted for psychiatric evaluation.
  • The process shows potential for diverting individuals from the criminal justice to the mental health system.

Conclusions:

  • Emergency petitions in Maryland facilitate psychiatric evaluation for at-risk individuals.
  • This process can serve as an informal jail diversion, connecting mentally ill individuals with needed care.
  • Increased mental health professional involvement in crisis response and police training could optimize this system.

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