Voluntary or Involuntary Status of 50 Adolescent Inpatients
Barbara Felkins M.D.1,
Melissa Guthrie M.S.W.2, and
James Walch M.D.3
1 Corpus Christi, Texas
2 Mental Health and Mental Retardation Authority of Harris County, Texas
3 Las Cruces, New Mexico
Roddfield Road, Corpus Christi, Texas 78414
This pilot study demonstrates that a large number of adolescents entered the hospital voluntarily and that a surprising number did not want to leave the hospital. Nearly half of those who stated at discharge that they would like further hospitalization were involuntarily admitted. The institution of judicial hearings for all children and adolescents to prevent inappropriate hospitalization would overlook the fact that there are adolescents with serious mental disorders who choose to get inpatient psychiatric help. Commitment hearings would be at best intelevant for these adolescents and might hinder treatment. Adolescents have a right to request psychiatnic treatment without others making an automatic assumption that their legal nights need protection.
