getting someone comitted

[joko]

my mate is having a nightmare with his ex - she drinks, takes drugs, turns up at his work going ballistic, causes grief regarding him seeing his child, etc... basically there is a catalogue of things.
he thinks she is a danger to herself, and others and is worried... he would like to have her committed - or at least made to get psychiatric and medical treatment - but they barely speak and she will not go to a doctor or even admit she has a problem.

is there a way to get the ball rolling for this to happen? to get her assessed? what should he do first? see a doctor? the police? social services etc?

any advice? thanks
(i have never met her or seen anything happen, so all i have is his version of things)

[jen78]

I think there would have to be a far greater indicator of a serious mental health problem before she was capable of being committed that what you've put above.

Has there been any violence, self harming, suicide attempts, dangerous behaviour etc...something above and beyond her just making a nuisance of herself?

To be sectioned, she would need to see a doctor or mental health practitioner to get the ball rolling and given the circumstances it doesn't sound like she would do that willingly. She would also need to fit the relevant criteria for being committed and they are quite limited.

Unless she was arrested or similar and the authorities had her assessed it may be that you would have to look at other ways of solving the individual problems such as sorting proper access through the courts (in a contact centre if necessary) for the child, a restraining order to have her kept away from him etc...

Above all he should be careful that if he doesn't take the right course of action eg goes for her to sectioned and she isn't or is and released then he may have an even more ****** off ex to deal with.

Above all, there is a child involved and their welfare and safety should be paramount.

[Ethel]

'Getting someone committed' is not easy and not something to be done without serious consideration. Usually there will be a history of mental illness and the decision is made by two doctors.

Involving social services could have an adverse effecting the child - or a very positive one, depending on the circumstances.

Tell him to call the police if she is causing a breach of peace in the workplace; he can write to her GP with his concerns re the drink/drugs and suspected mental state; if the child is seriously neglected or in danger he should do something about that - either apply through the courts for a residential order or alert social services.

[daffy654]

If she is an immediate danger to herself or others then your friend should make enquiries at a police station as to what he can do.As there is a child involved then he should talk to social services ASAP.You can't just have someone committed or even assessed because you think they need to be.

[Wonderous]

You can refer someone to the local Community Mental Health Team without their permission. Whether the CMHT would be able to assess her without her agreeing to it is another story. If he is so concerned then he should speak to them. They have a range of options open to them including outpatient and home care as well as sectioning (which can only be done on the approval of two mental health practitioners, one of whom must be Section 2 MHA registered and an approved social worker). I highly doubt sectioning would be appropriate in this case but a review may assist if your friend is that worried.

It sounds more like he needs to make a complaint of harrassment to the Police as a first step

[joko]

Thanks everyone... yeh i think hes just worried as her erractic behaviour is getting bizzarre and seems odd even for a drunk person... he just wants her to get assessed to see if she does have aproblem really or if its just the drink etc that makes her behave this way... and if she hasnt got a mental problem then he wants her to get help physically for her addictions...she does threaten to kill herself...and is violent - has broken his jaw.

he was with her 5 years, so he knows the change in her.

he is reluctant to involve the police and social services for obvious reasons...
i will tell him what you have said thanks

[pinktwink]

i agree getting someone committted is not easy and for good reason as it impinges on ones civil liberties. to be committed you need a gp and psychiatric assessment or a designated social worker.he could try talking to her gp. alcoholism is viewed and treated by mental health practitioners, however any treatment is dependant on the patients co operation.
if he has seperate concerns about his partners parenting he needs to apply for sole custody or contact social services. He has an obligation as a father to ensure his child is safe and well cared for