What You Need to Know About the 72 Hour Mental Health Hold in Oregon: Your Questions Answered

What You Need to Know About the 72 Hour Mental Health Hold in Oregon: Your Questions Answered

As more awareness is raised about mental health, there has been a significant change in policy considering patients with severe psychiatric symptoms. One of such policies concerns the 72-hour mental health hold in Oregon. It is important to understand this policy, as it can help both patients and caregivers in times of mental health crisis. Here is what you need to know about the 72-hour mental health hold in Oregon.

What is the 72-Hour Mental Health Hold?

Oregon Law allows emergency treatment for mental health conditions. According to Oregon law, a medical practitioner or mental health professional can involuntarily admit a patient for psychiatric treatment for up to 72 hours if the professional believes the patient poses an immediate risk to themselves or others. This is commonly called the 72-hour mental health hold.

Who can initiate a 72-hour hold?

Only authorized persons, such as medical practitioners and mental health professionals, can initiate a 72-hour hold in Oregon. Other people like family members, administrative staff, caregivers, or friends can inform an authorized person, but they cannot initiate a 72-hour hold.

What Happens During a 72-hour Hold?

A patient admitted under the 72-hour hold policy is taken into custody by the health care provider and is provided with medical and psychiatric treatment. A detailed psychological evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment plan for recovery must be created for the patient. The medical practitioner or mental health professional will keep the patient’s family informed about their mental and physical condition during their treatment.

What Happens After the 72-hour Hold?

At the end of the 72 hours, the patient’s condition will be reassessed by a mental health professional. If the professional believes the patient no longer poses an immediate risk to themselves or others, they will be discharged. But if there is a belief that the patient still needs extended psychiatric treatment, such a patient can be subjected to a Longer Term Hold.

When is a 72-hour Hold Necessary?

A 72-hour hold policy is necessary when medical practitioners and mental health professionals believe that individuals pose a significant risk to themselves or others. Risk factors that justify a hold can range from imminent suicide threats, violent behaviors, severe depression, hallucinations, delusions, or just risky behavior that could lead to harm to oneself or others.

Conclusion

The 72-hour mental health hold in Oregon exists to protect individuals who need psychiatric treatment and those around them. It is a critical policy that comes into use when patients are experiencing severe psychiatric symptoms. Understanding the policy and its application can help caregivers provide better care to those around them. If you or someone you know is experiencing severe psychiatric symptoms, don’t hesitate to seek professional help and guidance.