The Arc of Western Wayne County: Serving people with disabilities

The Take Charge Helpline

Admission by Clinical Certification

A relative, mental health worker, police officer or any concerned individual may take a person who appears to be dangerous to him/herself, to others in the community, or is unable to care for basic needs, such as proper clothing, shelter and food, to a hospital or pre-admission screening unit of the local Community Mental Health Services Program for assessment.  An application for hospitalization form must be completed.  The form requires examples of recent behaviors which have been directly observed by the person filling out the form, and why the individual needs to be hospitalized.  The form must also include the names and addresses of witnesses and the name and address of the person's nearest relative, guardian or friend.  The form may be obtained at the hospital, through Probate Court, or your local Community Mental Health Services Program.

A physician or clinical psychologist will examine the individual.  If the doctor finds that the individual meets the criteria for admission, he will fill out a clinical certificate stating that the person examined requires treatment.  The individual will then be admitted to a hospital and a second assessment and clinical certificate will be completed by a psychiatrist.

If the mental health professional who conducts the preadmission screening denies hospitalization, the individual may request a second opinion and an additional evaluation will be performed as soon as possible.

Within 72 hours of admission, excluding Sundays and holidays, the individual will have a deferral meeting in the hospital and be assigned representation by an attorney.  The patient may also designate a friend or relative to attend.  At this meeting, a representative from the Community Mental Health Services Program and one from the hospital will present a proposed treatment plan.  If the person agrees to cooperate with this plan, he is accepted as a voluntary patient.  However, if at any time during the course of treatment the person refuses to accept the agreed-on treatment, the hospital may notify the Probate Court and a court hearing will be held on the original application.  The hearing will be held within 7 days of the date that all necessary forms are received by the Probate Court.  It will be necessary for the individual who signed the application to be in court in order to testify about the person's behavior.

For more information, please contact The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill Michigan at 800-331-4264, or visit them online at namimi.org.  You can also contact The Detroit Wayne County Community Mental Health Agency at 313-833-2500, or visit them online at www.dwccmha.com.

Phone code: 2200