Virginia's Mental Health System and Some Thoughts About Mental Illness and Substance Abuse: CCARTAVMHS Welcomes two new Board Members

This is Emergency Services as its Defined on a Community Services Boards' Web Site

Emergency Services/Crisis Counseling is a State mandated program. This unit provides short-term crisis counseling and referrals to individuals on an emergency basis. Emergency and crisis response services include: telephone interventions; face-to-face assessments and evaluation (including pre-admission screening); psychiatric consultation and other clinical consultation about mental health, substance abuse, and special populations which include children, adolescents, geriatric, people with mental retardation, and individuals involved in the forensic system. Emergency Services/Crisis Counseling is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Friday, January 18, 2008

CCARTAVMHS Welcomes two new Board Members

The Citizens’ Committee for the Advancement of Rational Thought and Actions in Virginia's Mental Health System….proudly announces the addition of two new board members. JBS and BR will bring with them new and fresh perspectives. We are all looking forward to working with them.

Congratulations and welcome aboard....JBS and BR

GC
RF
TL

Also, please note the photo of our adjunct members, who, as always, provide valuable insight into some of the issues that we have difficulty dealing with. Yes, they usually do stay in the background, so to speak, however, we did want to recognize them publicly for their tireless work and dedication...... The Bored of Directors.......CCARTAVMHS

Who am I and Where am I?

No way, Jose. I have enough problems. Let me just say that I am sure my part of the state is no different than what other folks are trying to come to grips with in Virginia.
I guess I'll just say that I have some idea of what's going on....and let it go at that.
I'm sure you can separate the facts from the opinions......
PS. OK. I'll fess up...yes, I work for an emergency services unit and have for a few years. My opinions are mine and surely I am not speaking for all of the other emergency services' workers throughout the state.
And, my opinions are based on the population that we see day in and day out.

The Temporary Detention Order (TDO)

The Temporary Detention Order (TDO).
In the Commonwealth of Virginia there is a provision that allows a person to be forced into a psychiatric hospital. Basically the code says, That if because of mental illness a person is imminently dangerous to themselves or others, or if because of mental illness a person is substantially unable to care for themselves, a magistrate may issue the order.
The magistrate will have a probable cause hearing at which time the emergency services' worker and sometimes a petitioner (note: a petitioner is a reliable responsible member of the community who has seen the behavior or heard the words) will give sworn testimony to support the issuance of the TDO. Some jurisdictions require a petitioner and some allow the order to be issued based only on the testimony of the emergency services' worker.
The TDO specifies where the person is and where they are going (to which hospital). It is an order that must be carried out by sworn officers; usually a sheriff's deputy or a police officer.

What are the steps required to have a TDO issued?

A police officer, citizen, hospital worker, friend, loved one, relative, requests an evaluation for a TDO
Information is usually required that would indicate that the person may be meeting criteria
A face-to-face evaluation is completed
A screening form is filled out that provides information that supports the request for the TDO...after the evaluation, if the person is not meeting criteria, they are released
If the person is meeting the criteria a willing facility must be found
After a hospital is found, the information is presented to the magistrate
The person is taken to the hospital by law enforcement officers
At the hospital the officer signs/executes the TDO and turns over the patient to the hospital

Virginia's Mental Health System and Some Thoughts About Mental Illness and Substance Abuse

This is Emergency Services as its Defined on a Community Services Boards' Web Site

Everything on this website has been thoroughly examined, reviewed, evaluated, and ultimately approved by The Citizens’ Committee for the Advancement of Rational Thought and Actions in Virginia's Mental Health System….

Things Sure Aren't What They Used to be..Conditions Sure Have Changed

Friday, January 18, 2008

CCARTAVMHS Welcomes two new Board Members

Think it's time to post the old First Amendment........ January 17, 2008

Please Read: Important!

Who am I and Where am I?

The Temporary Detention Order (TDO)

What are the steps required to have a TDO issued?

Who can request an evaulation for a TDO?

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