If an adult attempts suicide in Georgia can a hospital hold them against there will?

Answer 1

In Georgia, as in most states, they can hold you involuntarily if you express a desire or intent to harm yourself or another. Here in GA, it's a 72 hour hold, though a psychiatrist can lengthen or shorten that time period, depending on how you respond to treatment.

Usually, if you go in voluntarily, the doctor will sign off on terminating the 72 hour hold, so that it doesn't get reported to the state (which may have an impact on certain licenses). Even if the doctor does that, however, you cannot simply walk out. If you demand to be released, and sign the necessary paperwork, they still have 48 hours to further evaluate you before releasing you. That is in place to make sure that you are no longer a danger to yourself or others.

I'm not sure about this part in GA, but I know that in FL, a police officer can put you in on a temporary hold as well as a doctor.

***********

Information to add:

In Georgia, you don't even have to attempt suicide for them to hold you for 72 hours. The trick of it for hospitals or law enforcement is that you have to get into their custody in order to be held. I know this for fact from experience. If EMS is called out for you, for whatever reason, and it comes out that you have had problems with depression, that you'd ever had suicidal thoughts, and they can't definitively state what the cause of your problem is, they can hold you. You can refuse going with ems, and unless being arrested, you can refuse going with police. The only time that's ever challenged is if you have a spouse or parent commit you. Otherwise, if you are a single & an adult with no one that deems you as their dependent they would have to go to court to have you committed against your wishes.

However, that 72 hour hold isn't a punishment, it's not trying to label you. Does it suck? Sure! It's no picnic. But then what part of having any issue with depression or suicidal thoughts is? Usually, the people involved really are trying to help. It may not seem like it. And it may take time to see actions for what they are. There is no shame to be had in dealing with depression or any effect of it! It's not something you can control, and it's truly not something you can "will to go away".

********************************

Just a little info to add. For the most part, everything you mentioned above, at least in regards to the state of Georgia, is correct. The only part that falls into that 'gray' area is whether or not a spouse or parent can commit you. If EMS and or Law Enforcement are called to the scene, they will interview you. If you appear to them to be of sound mind, they believe you will not hurt yourself or anyone else, regardless of what spouse/parent states, they do not have to take you in.

The one thing that really sucks, again in the state of Georgia, is that your past does follow you. Like the person above, I know this from personal experience. I once had to go the the Emergency Room because my normal physician went out of the country for several weeks without leaving a doctor on call to cover his patients. He did this without giving his patients any advance notice. So it came time for me to get several medications refilled and my only option was to go to the Emergency Room to request their assistance. (I had not other physician, no insurance, and could not find another Doctor Who would take on an uninsured patient regardless of my ability to pay in advance! Ain't that a kick in head?!)

While I was waiting in the Emergency Room, a nurse came in to get the basic information, a few hours later, a physician finally came in where I explained the information, also providing them the contact information so they could verify what I was telling them.

Apparently the fact that I could hear their conversations out at the nurse's station from my room seemed to escape their attention. I heard the physician and nurse state they were bringing in the social worker that decides if someone goes into a psychiatric facility and since I had previous suicide attempts, they were basically going to advise the social worker to take me into custody. Once both the nurse and physician left the nurse's station, my mom and I hauled a** out of that hospital.

After returning home, I spent the next few hours contacting the hospital's risk management, the head of Emergency Services as well as the department of Social Services within the hospital to let them know that what they had intended on doing was wrong, unethical and immoral. It bothered me enough that I contacted the corporation that owns that hospital to log a formal complaint. I was rather surprised to get a reply back that what had been done, or had been intended was not how that hospital is supposed to act. They apologized and apologized, even offered to put me in touch with a physician that could help me get the refills I needed until my doctor got back into the country, with no charge to me.

First and foremost, regardless of the situation, people have to realize to take part, if not full control, over what happens to them within the health care setting! No doctor knows everything, and unfortunately, doctors and other health care providers are making more and more mistakes! Educate yourself. If something doesn't sound right, ask questions! Never leave unsure or confused about anything! And more than anything, no one can afford to have the mindset that "if the doctor said so, then it must be what I should do". NOOOO! That's why there are these things called second opinions. And no doctor, at least no Good doctor, will EVER be offended that you want a second opinion. If they take offense to that, it's your first sign to find another physician!

Good luck to you all! And for anyone contemplating hurting themselves, or anyone else for that matter, please stop and think about it. More times than not, what you're feeling is because of chemical imbalances, no because of you as a whole. Talk to someone, there are tons of anonymous services that can help. Give it a few days, many times that initial impulse to make drastic decisions will go away, especially if you can get a good chunk of sleep that doesn't involve alcohol or illicit drugs. Hell, even some standard drugs can influence these thoughts. So please, do not act quickly on these decisions. Again, from someone who has had more than their fair share of these situations, I promise you, there will be a time and a day where you are so grateful that you did not go through with, or accomplish, hurting yourself!