In a current emergency, see Someone I Know Is in Crisis.
If you are one of the more than 8 million Americans providing care to an adult with a mental health issue, you know the ups and downs that come with this responsibility. The pride and relief that soar when your loved one is safe and stable in recovery. The fear and crisis that result if they are unstable and cycling through ERs, hospitals, jails or the streets.
If your loved one is among the roughly half of people with severe bipolar disorder or schizophrenia who do not recognize their own need for treatment (a condition known as anosognosia), you may find it necessary to seek involuntary intervention to stop a downward psychiatric spiral or reduce danger to the individual or others.
The more you know about the mental illness treatment system and the conditions affecting your loved one, the better equipped and more effective your advocacy will be.
The following resources may help.
Respond in a Crisis
Guidelines and printable tip sheets for responding to suicide or assault threat and other mental health crisis situations.
To secure emergency treatment, it is essential to know the civil commitment laws and standards that determine who is eligible for intervention in the state where a loved one in crisis lives.
It is hard to think clearly during an active crisis. Assembling practical tools before you need them makes it easier to respond and advocate if the time comes.
Understand Criminal Justice Involvement
Law enforcement and jails have become the nation’s default psychiatric crisis response system. Here are steps to take before and after criminal justice involvement.
When an individual with chronic serious mental illness is unable to make self-interested medical decisions, the courts may approve appointment of a guardian.
The privacy act known as “HIPAA” can be a barrier to the involvement of family members and other caretakers. There are ways to navigate it more successfully.
Learn More about Bipolar Disorder
Severe bipolar disorder, formerly known as manic-depressive illness, is a psychiatric disease that affects 2.2% of the population.
Learn More about Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a psychiatric disease that affects 1.1% of the population.
Have Crisis Language at Your Fingertips
Understanding and using the terms you will hear from medical providers, law enforcement and lawyers will help keep everyone on the same page.
NOTE: The Treatment Advocacy Center does not operate a crisis hotline.
If you have a question about using the laws in your state to access court-ordered treatment, email
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. One of our team of advocates will respond within a few days. Please include your city, state and telephone number in your message.
For immediate suicide help we encourage you to use these outside resources:
Crisis Text Line – Reach a counselor 24/7 by text
Text 741-741
Connects the texter to a live, trained crisis counselor
Suicide Prevention Lifeline - 24/7 telephone support
1‐800‐273‐TALK (8255)
Routes the caller to a nearby crisis center