Mental Health Patients on Involuntary Treatment Journal Reflection Comprehensive Nursing Paper Example

Mental Health Patients on Involuntary Treatment Journal Reflection Comprehensive Nursing Paper Example

Different states across the United States have laws that provide criteria for mental health patients on involuntary treatment. While patients have the right to refuse treatment, there are instances where these individuals are left with no choice but to receive the treatment. In Connecticut, the law allows access to treatment based on the patient’s needs and considers the potential risks of a lack of treatment. Patients with mental health problems are often victims of involuntary admission, where they are admitted to mental health facilities against their will. However, the patients can only be admitted involuntary under certain circumstances. (Mental Health Patients on Involuntary Treatment Journal Reflection Comprehensive Nursing Paper Example)

A person with a mental illness may be involuntarily committed for in-patient treatment if their illness can cause them to harm someone else if left untreated, they are not in a position to provide for their basic needs without assistance of their family members unless treated or when they refuse to adhere to treatment due to lack of understanding why they need the treatment, which requires in-patient treatment (Legal Aid Online, n.d.). In this regard, patients can be on hold if they are suicidal or homicidal, in that they can harm themselves or others. However, individuals with mental health problems can only receive outpatient involuntary treatment on court order. The court can authorize a mental health facility to administer involuntary treatment to a patient for up to 90 days (Legal Aid Online, n.d). If the medical providers feel that the patient needs more treatment, they should file a new court petition. (Mental Health Patients on Involuntary Treatment Journal Reflection Comprehensive Nursing Paper Example)

Nonetheless, there are instances where I have encountered a patient being suicidal during practice. The patient suffered from depression and had received a divorce from his wife of 8 years. He kept saying he just wanted to commit suicide because whatever he was living for was gone. I tried to talk him through his situation, empathized with him, and helped him engage in creative activities. Specifically, apart from his depressants, he actively engaged in drawings as it was his interest. He loved what he was doing with time, focused more on the brighter side of life, and managed the depression and suicidal thoughts. (Mental Health Patients on Involuntary Treatment Journal Reflection Comprehensive Nursing Paper Example)