Perhaps you know someone with a serious mental health disorder who is not willing or is unable to get the help they need. Or perhaps you know a person who is in danger of harming themselves or others and is unable or unwilling to receive voluntary mental health treatment. There is a legal process in Arizona, under A.R.S. Title 36, in which the court can order a mental health evaluation for a person in need. If the evaluation 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 the person to undergo mental health treatment.
The process also gives potential patients the opportunity to accept voluntary treatment and ensures that they receive due process of law. The goal is to provide the necessary medical help so the person can live a healthy life.
If you are aware of someone who, you believe, meets the statutory requirements and is unwilling accept voluntary treatment, the first step is to complete an Application for Involuntary Evaluation. Any person over the age of 18 may complete the application. Other possible options are to contact a behavioral health provider, legal advisor, or local law enforcement to assist in preparing the application. In Yavapai County, Polara Health is the screening and evaluating agency and therefore receives Applications for Involuntary Evaluations and conducts subsequent steps in the process.
Resources:
- For information on the entire process of involuntary evaluation and treatment, visit AZCourtCare, a project of the Arizona Bar Foundation 2021, at https://azcourtcare.org/process-info/civil-commitment-process. The information on this site is not intended as a substitute for legal advice. If you are in need of legal advice, consult with an attorney or find a legal aid resource that fits your needs.
- Application for Involuntary Evaluation - fillable form for Yavapai County. Download the application. The application can be typed or handwritten. Once fully completed, the application must be notarized before being delivered to Polara Health, located at 8655 East Eastridge Drive, Prescott Valley, AZ 86314. Before completing the application, please carefully read the information found at AZCourtCare above.
- For additional information and assistance with the application, contact Polara Health at 928-445-5211 Extension 1.
- If in need of immediate help, call the mental health crisis helpline at (877) 756-4090.
- In any emergency, call 911.