The Florida Baker Act allows doctors, professionals of mental health, judges, and the law and police to show severe or suicidal signs of mental illness to spend a maximum of 72 hours at the mental health center.
The Baker Act aims to allow time to carry out mental health assessments and de-escalate a crisis. This test will confirm if the person has a mental health problem. Suppose the tests yielded results that can say the person is no longer a threat to himself or others. In that case, the person is released after the period of retention. So, can I Baker Act myself? That is a good question to think of if you find yourself or anyone you know facing a situation that will require a baker act help.
A Deeper Dive on Baker Act
This act is named after Maxine Baker, a former Florida agent. The Florida Mental Health Act implemented this act at the start of the 1970s. This act has restored many people’s rights with mental health problems to those who are not dangerous for themselves and others. This act is significant. But what is the process of the Baker Act?
The Process
If you are a Baker Acted person, you are taken to a hospital for mental health, a Baker Act hospital. The person should go through psychological tests in 72 hours at the reception facility. As soon as the Baker Act form is accomplished, the 72-hour period begins immediately.
Suppose two different mental health professionals consider the person dangerous. In that case, they will be allowed to go to a facility focusing on mental health management. This can be voluntary or under involuntary inpatient care. Nowadays, there are ambulatory centers for mental health care that can come up as suggested places.
Suppose a person has no mental health problems or has a non-hazardous psychiatric health problem. In that case, they are released within 72 hours.
The Criteria for Baker Act Eligibility
To allow someone to go temporarily to a mental health facility, the following signs must be present:
- The individual is or has manifestations of mental illness
- The individual rejects the voluntary assessment of mental health or does not understand why it is necessary.
- The individual is a threat to himself or others, or the individual cannot take care of himself.
Easy indicators of mental health issue are presented through the following behaviors:
- Thoughts of committing suicide
- Hearing things not that are not present, especially those suggesting self-harm or hurting other people
- Unable to take care of oneself
- A feeling of hopelessness or state of depression
- Abuse and belief that a substance can solely provide a solution
Now to answer the question if you or anyone can Baker Act themselves. Yes, it is possible. A Baker Act may be done voluntarily. However, to voluntarily Baker Act, you must be deemed capable of consenting to care. Visit an emergency room and explain the symptoms to medical practitioners to Baker Act. The medical staff will invoke the Baker Act if necessary.
