A “5150” refers to an involuntary mental health hold in California, authorized under Section 5150 of the state’s Welfare and Institutions Code. This law allows for the temporary detention of an individual for up to 72 hours for a psychiatric evaluation and crisis intervention. An individual cannot “5150” themselves because the action is, by legal definition, an involuntary process initiated by authorized third parties. The legal mechanism requires an external finding that the person poses a risk.
Understanding the 5150 Criteria and Initiation
The 5150 hold is a measure under the Lanterman-Petris-Short (LPS) Act, intended to provide urgent assessment and stabilization during a severe mental health crisis. For this involuntary hold to be initiated, designated personnel must have probable cause that, due to a mental health disorder, the person meets one of three criteria. The first criterion is that the individual is a danger to themselves, often involving suicidal ideation, threats, or a recent attempt at self-harm.
The second criterion is that the person is a danger to others, meaning they have made credible threats or recently committed physical violence. The third criterion is that the person is “gravely disabled,” meaning they are unable to provide for basic needs like food, clothing, or shelter due to their mental disorder. This legal action is a temporary restriction of liberty for medical and psychological safety, not a criminal procedure.
The authority to initiate this hold is strictly limited to certain professionals designated by the county. These authorized individuals include peace officers, members of a county-designated mobile crisis team, and specific mental health professionals at approved facilities. Since the person being detained does not determine probable cause, they cannot trigger the 5150 process themselves. The designated professional must complete paperwork stating the facts that support the belief that one of the three criteria is met. This process ensures that the involuntary hold is based on an objective assessment of the immediate risk posed by the individual’s mental state.
Pathways for Self-Initiated Psychiatric Help
For an individual who is actively seeking immediate mental health support, the appropriate mechanism is voluntary admission or seeking crisis care, not an involuntary 5150 hold. A proactive approach allows the individual to maintain more autonomy over the process and their treatment decisions.
The most common pathway for self-initiated help is to present directly to a hospital emergency room (ER) or a psychiatric facility that accepts voluntary admissions. The individual requests a voluntary evaluation for inpatient treatment. Facility staff will conduct a comprehensive intake and assessment to determine the appropriate level of care, which may include reviewing current symptoms, mental health history, and medication needs.
A person who is deemed appropriate for voluntary admission signs consent forms, agreeing to the hospitalization and treatment plan. This process respects the individual’s willingness to participate in their care, which often leads to a more cooperative and effective treatment experience. Voluntary patients typically retain the right to request discharge, although the facility may require a specific notice period to ensure a safe transition.
Immediate resources are available for those needing guidance to access care, such as utilizing the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, which connects callers with trained crisis counselors. Local mental health hotlines and mobile crisis services provide immediate support and help coordinate a safe transfer to a facility for evaluation. Seeking these resources provides a direct route to professional help without an involuntary legal proceeding.
Patient Rights and Evaluation Process
Once a person is admitted to a designated facility, they enter a period of evaluation and assessment. The maximum duration of the initial involuntary hold is 72 hours, beginning from the time the person is first detained. During this time, professional staff performs a thorough evaluation of the person’s medical, psychological, and social situation to determine the next steps in care.
A patient does not have to be held for the entire 72 hours; if the professional determines the person no longer meets the criteria for involuntary detention, they can be released sooner. By the end of the 72-hour period, one of three outcomes must occur: the person is released, they agree to sign in as a voluntary patient for continued treatment, or they are certified for an additional 14-day involuntary hold, known as a “5250.”
Patients maintain several important rights throughout the entire process, protected under the LPS Act. They must be advised of their rights in a manner they can understand, and they have the right to communicate with a patient’s rights advocate or an attorney. Furthermore, patients have the right to refuse medical treatment, including most medications, unless it is an emergency situation or a separate legal hearing determines they lack the capacity to make that decision.