Involuntary Evaluation/Treatment

IN CRISIS? DO YOU NEED IMMEDIATE HELP?

 

Mental health crisis line

Call 988

 

Is there a medical emergency?

Is there an immediate safety issue?

Call 911

 

Go in person to Polara Health

Crisis Stabilization Unit – CSU

8655 East Eastridge Drive, Prescott Valley, AZ

or call: 928-445-5211 ext. 3900

Involuntary Mental Health Evaluation and Treatment

The Process in Yavapai County

When and Why to Get Help for Someone

  • Perhaps you know someone with a serious mental health disorder who is not willing or is not able to get the help they need.
  • Perhaps you know a person who is in immediate danger of harming themselves or others and is unable or unwilling to receive voluntary mental health treatment.
  • Perhaps you know someone who is not able to safely care for themselves because of mental illness.

There is a legal process in Arizona, under A.R.S. Title 36, in which the court can order a mental health evaluation and treatment for a person in need.

 

The process also gives potential patients the opportunity to have a voluntary evaluation and receive voluntary treatment. While the rights of the patient are protected, the goal is to provide the necessary medical help so the person can live a healthy life.

How Can I Learn More About Getting Help for Someone?

Polara Health is the Yavapai County screening and evaluating agency. However, any of these providers can help you with the application and process:

 

  • Polara Health – 928-445-5211
  • Spectrum Healthcare – 877-634-7333
  • Southwest Behavioral Health – 928-772-1610
  • Dignity Health Yavapai Regional Medical Center – 928-445-2700

Applying for Court Ordered Evaluation and Court Ordered Treatment can be confusing. If you want help completing the application and understanding the entire process, there are several options. For assistance contact one of the behavioral healthcare providers listed above or a legal advisor.

Emergency Involuntary Evaluation

Submit Application for Emergency Admission

Application is completed when there is immediate danger of hurting themselves or others and the person refuses treatment. Also, complete the Application for Court Ordered Evaluation. File in person at Polara Health.

Pick Up Order

If the person does not go voluntarily, Polara Health requests a peace officer take the person into custody and transport them to Polara Health.

 

Emergency Screening

Polara Health performs an assessment of the person’s psychiatric and physical condition within 24 hours. The patient may ask for a voluntary evaluation.

 

Emergency Admission

Patient is admitted to hospital, if Polara Health determines there is immediate danger of harming themself or others. Otherwise, patient is released after 24 hours.

 

Petition for Court Ordered Evaluation

Polara will file a petition if the patient meets the criteria for Involuntary Evaluation.

Order for Evaluation and Pick-up

If not already hospitalized, the court reviews the petition and orders an evaluation. A pick-up order is issued.

Evaluation

Must be completed within 72 hours by two psychiatrists.

Petition for Court Ordered Treatment

Polara will submit a petition that asks the court to order a period of mandated treatment.

Voluntary Status

Medical Director of Polara Health can change patient to voluntary status.

Hearing for Court Ordered Treatment

Held within 6 business days from filing of petition. Court determines if mandated treatment is appropriate.

Non-Emergency Involuntary Evaluation

Submit Application for Evaluation

Fill out an application explaining why a person needs an involuntary evaluation. File in person at Polara Health.

 

Pre-Petition Screening

Polara Health performs a screening within 48 hours. It can be completed at Polara Health, at home or in the community.

 

Voluntary Evaluation

The proposed patient my choose a voluntary evaluation.

 

Petition for Court Ordered Evaluation

Polara will file a petition if the patient meets the criteria for Involuntary Evaluation.

 

Order for Evaluation and Pick-up

Court reviews petition and orders an evaluation. A pick-up order is issued.

Evaluation

Must be completed within 72 hours by two psychiatrists.

Petition for Court Ordered Treatment

Polara will submit a petition that asks the court to order a period of mandated treatment.

Voluntary Status

Medical Director of Polara Health can change patient to voluntary status.

Hearing for Court Ordered Treatment

Held within 6 business days from filing of petition. Court determines if mandated treatment is appropriate.

Step One: The Application

There are two types of applications:

Application for Emergency Admission for Evaluation

Used when there is immediate danger of hurting themselves or others and the person does not want treatment.

Click here for the Emergency Admission Evaluation Application

Application for Involuntary Evaluation

Used when there is no immediate danger, but there is a history of a mental health disorder that significantly impacts the person’s well-being, and the person does not want treatment.

Click here for the Involuntary Evaluation Application.

  • In an emergency complete both applications.

  • Any person over the age of 18 may complete the application.

  • The application can be typed or handwritten.

  • The application must be notarized, which can be done ahead of time or upon delivery to Polara Health.

Deliver the application to Polara Health or complete it in person at:

Polara Health, 8655 East Eastridge Drive

Prescott Valley, AZ  86314

928-445-5211

Step Two: Pre-Petition Screening

During the pre-petition screening, a trained professional determines if a person is in need of a further mental health evaluation.

Emergency Screening

  • In an emergency, the admitting officer at Polara Health may request a peace officer take a person into custody.
  • A peace officer will then transport them to Polara Health.
  • An emergency screening occurs within 24 hours.
  • Patient is admitted to hospital, if Polara Health determines there is immediate danger of harming self or others. Otherwise, patient is released after 24 hours.

Non-emergency Screening

  • For a non-emergency, screening is provided within 48 hours.
  • The proposed patient may also choose a voluntary evaluation at this time.
  • The pre-petition screening occurs in person at Polara Health, or at the home or other known location of the proposed patient.
  • If the proposed patient is not available, the screening agency will proceed according to state statute.

Step Three: Petition for Court Ordered Evaluation

The decision to file for a Court Ordered Evaluation is based on the information in the application and the screening. A petition is filed with the court if they meet the criteria.

  • If approved by the Court and the patient does not voluntarily go to Polara Health for the evaluation or is not already hospitalized, an order for pick-up by a peace officer is issued.
  • The order expires in 14 days.
  • The evaluation can be inpatient or outpatient.

If the screening reveals that the person, because of a mental health disorder, is a danger to self, danger to others, persistently and acutely disabled or gravely disabled, and refuses voluntary treatment, the court can order an evaluation.

Read more about the statute governing the application.

Step Four: Court Ordered Evaluation

After a Petition for Court Ordered Evaluation is approved by the court: 

  • Two psychiatrists conduct the evaluation.
  • It must be completed within 72 hours if done on an inpatient basis.
  • If the evaluation is done on an outpatient basis, it must be completed the 4th day after the first appointment, excluding weekends and holidays.
  • The court appoints an attorney to represent the patient.

Step Five: Petition for Treatment

If the evaluation determines that a person meets the level of need for Court Ordered Treatment: 

  • A Petition for Treatment is filed asking the court to order mandated treatment.
  • The treatment can be inpatient or outpatient.
  • The Order for Treatment cannot exceed 365 days.

Prior to the hearing, the Medical Director of Polara Health may change the patient to voluntary status with court approval.

Step Six: The Hearing

At the Hearing, the court will issue an Order for Treatment if there is clear and convincing evidence that the person needs treatment and is unwilling or unable to accept treatment voluntarily.

  • A hearing is held within six business days from the time the Petition for Treatment is filed.
  • The hearing shall include testimony of two or more witnesses acquainted with the patient at the time of the alleged mental disorder.
  • The hearing shall include testimony of the two physicians who participated in the evaluation of the patient.
  • The patient and the patient’s attorney shall be present at all hearings.
  • The person may be ordered to inpatient treatment at a hospital, or outpatient treatment in a community-based clinic, or a combination of both.
  • Treatment may also require taking medication prescribed by the provider.

 

Note: This information is provided as an overview of the Involuntary Evaluation process in Yavapai County. It should not be regarded as legal advice. It does not explain all the legal requirements and rights contained in Arizona Revised Statutes Title 36, Chapter 5.