Anyone over the age of 18 who has witnessed or been victim of an abnormal behavior. The individual submitting an application may be someone such as a family member, case manager, or any other person in the community. They must present facts to support the allegations made in the application.
You will be asked to provide the person's:
People are able to live happy and productive lives with mental health issues everyday, without the need for hospitalization. Having someone approved for involuntary treatment is the same as having their civil rights taken away; this is why it is such a difficult and lengthy process. For non-emergency situations, demonstrating a history of mentally ill behaviors can be difficult. Things that can be included:
Resources
Once an Application for Involuntary Evaluation is filled out, by an individual that meets the criteria detailed in Step 1, it must be submitted to a screening agency. Screening agencies, also known as Behavioral Health Agencies, and their satellite offices are located throughout the state of Arizona
Before traveling to an agency, call to see if they accept Applications for Involuntary Evaluation and if they have an office nearby.
If it is an emergency or after hours situation an Application for Emergency Admission may also be filed at most hospital emergency rooms. You and the individual in question would need to appear at the hospital. Be ready to provide the facts as to why you believe the individual qualifies for emergency admission, as detailed in Step 1.
A judge reviews the petition, the supporting application for court ordered evaluation and application for emergency admission or prescreen report. If reasonable cause exists to believe the person is, as a result of a mental disorder, a danger to self or to others, is persistently or acutely disabled, or is gravely disabled and if the person is unable or unwilling to receive a mental health evaluation on a voluntary basis, the court issues a detention order for involuntary hospitalization and evaluation. The court appoints legal counsel for the person at the time the detention order is signed.