NAMI Kentucky is providing this information in hopes of assisting you to get the help you need when a family member or loved one is experiencing a psychiatric crisis and will not agree to seek treatment voluntarily.

1. Who presents a danger or threat to self, family or others as a result of a mental illness;
2. Who can reasonably benefit from treatment; and
3. For whom hospitalization is the least restrictive alternative mode of treatment presently available.

Doctor’s or other mental health professionals use this “criteria” to decide whether to hold an individual for a 72 hour hospital admission. Weekends and holidays are excluded from the 72 hour period.

If your family member or loved one is not cooperative you may want to seek a Mental Inquest Warrant (MIW) to have them evaluated by a mental health professional.

Yes, assistance is available, free of charge. In all proceedings under this chapter, it shall be the duty of the county attorney to assist the petitioner and represent the interest of the Commonwealth and to assist the in its inquiry by the presentation of evidence.

District Courts are responsible for handling involuntary mental commitments. They can direct you to your local office. Click above link for additional contact information. Additionally, if an MIW is entered, please ask that a CIT Officer be sent to the residence to execute the warrant. On a final note, you may want to consider discussing an Advance Directive for Mental Health Treatment with your family member or loved one. This can make a difficult time more manageable in the event of a future mental health crisis.