Mental health issues can genuinely make or break an individual. And, it doesn’t only affect that significant person but also their loved ones. It is not easy seeing your loved one struggling with several mental health problems. However, if they start showing signs of serious danger to themselves or others, it is time to Baker Act them.
The purpose of the Baker Act is to encourage individuals to seek voluntary mental health help. However, if an individual will not voluntarily receive help for a severe mental health crisis, the Baker Act will allow loved ones to request that their loved ones be placed under an examination.
If you have a loved one really struggling with severe mental health issues, then you may be wondering how to Baker Act someone in Florida. There is a specific criterion when it comes to this, so let’s get into it.
The Criteria of the Baker Act
- The person you are about to Baker Act should be mentally ill (or believed to be mentally ill).
- The person is a danger and threat to themselves, or the person incapable of caring for themselves.
- The person refuses a voluntary mental health evaluation.
There are specific people who are qualified to enact the Baker Act such as:
- Psychiatrist
- Clinical Psychologist
- Physician
- Clinical Social Worker
Behaviors that Indicate a Mental Health Crisis
- Suicidal thoughts: If you see someone being suicidal, you can get an involuntary psychiatric examination (Baker Act) in Florida.
- Hallucinations: When someone can see or hear things that aren’t there, that’s dangerous. It sets the grounds for Baker Acting as someone.
- Depression: Depression causes a person to feel hopeless. In this case, treatment is necessary.
The Process of Baker Acting Someone in Florida
You might have a lot of questions if you are trying to Baker Act someone in Florida. Here is what you should do each step of the way.
Initiation
Recognize the signs of a mental health crisis in your loved one, such as suicidal thoughts, hallucinations, substance use issues, or severe depression.
Contact a Qualified Professional
Reach out to a qualified professional who is authorized to initiate the Baker Act process. Moreover, this can be a psychiatrist, clinical psychologist, physician, or clinical social worker.
Assessment
- The qualified professional will assess the individual’s mental health and determine if they meet the criteria for the Baker Act.
- The criteria include the person being mentally ill or believed to be mentally ill, being a danger to themselves or incapable of self-care, and refusing voluntary mental health evaluation.
Petition for Examination
A petition for the examination can be issued by the appropriate authorities. This typically involves explaining the reasons for Baker Acting the individual.
Examination and Evaluation
The evaluation usually lasts up to 72 hours. So, in the facility that they are at, the individual will go under a comprehensive mental health evaluation to determine where they stand.
Treatment or Release
- Depending on the evaluation results, the individual may receive treatment, which could include therapy, medication, or other interventions.
- If the individual is no longer considered a danger to themselves or others and is willing to seek voluntary treatment, they may be released.
Aftercare and Follow-Up
After release, the individual should receive appropriate aftercare and follow-up services to address their mental health needs.
