Discussion:
Hospitalizing a Person Against His/Her Will
States can commit people to psychiatric hospitals under two legal models: (1) parens patriae-- the state is allowed to protect persons with mental illnesses who are unable to take care of themselves, and are not willing or able to seek medical treatmentand (2) police power model-states can commit people to protect the public safety and welfare of its citizens. People with mental illnesses can be involuntarily hospitalized if they are a danger to themselves and those around them.