What legal process allows a person to be forced to undergo mental health treatment?

The legal process that allows a person to be forced to undergo mental health treatment is known as civil commitment. This process typically involves a legal proceeding in which an individual is evaluated to determine if they pose a significant risk to themselves or others due to a mental illness. If the court finds sufficient evidence for such a risk, it can order the individual to receive treatment against their will.

Civil commitment is designed to protect both the individual and society. It provides a legal framework that ensures that treatment occurs while also upholding the rights of the person involved, often requiring a demonstration of a clear and present danger before commitment can occur. This is crucial in balancing the need for treatment with individual rights.

The other options, while related to mental health treatment, do not facilitate forced treatment in the same way. Involuntary treatment refers more generally to any treatment administered without the individual’s consent, which can be part of civil commitment. Voluntary admission involves individuals seeking treatment on their own and consenting to it, while a health directive typically pertains to an individual’s preferences for their healthcare decisions rather than a legal process for treatment.