Policy Analysis of Involuntary Psychiatric Hospital Admission in New York

Abstract

Involuntary hospitalization is used when an individual with serious mental illness is at imminent risk of harming themselves or others. Homelessness and racial disparities in mental health care can contribute to higher risks of involuntary hospitalization. Since 2023, former New York City Mayor Eric Adams proposed the Supportive Interventions Act, which would lower the criteria for transporting to hospitals and involuntarily admitting those who are unable to maintain their basic needs, even with no recent act of harm to self or others. The proposal sparked debate: Some groups believe that involuntary admission is necessary to preserve safety, while others believe it can cause more harm by infringing on the individual’s well-being, autonomy, and dignity. Accordingly, recommendations follow for alternative proposals to provide sustainable care to individuals with serious mental illness. Social workers should advocate for the expansion of community-based programs, provide compassionate and holistic care, and advocate for more research and policy changes to examine biases in mental health care and advance legal rights for people with severe mental health challenges.