The Paradox of Involuntary Commitment: Safety or Criminalization?

By Dr. Teranda Knight, MS, DBH, IBHL, LSSGB

May 12, 2025

Tame the involuntary commitment process.

Involuntary commitment is a legal process designed to ensure the safety of individuals experiencing a severe mental health crisis by hospitalizing them against their will. While the intention behind this practice is fundamentally protective, it often leaves individuals feeling as though they are being treated like criminals rather than patients in need of care. This paradox has sparked a vital conversation about the balance between safety and dignity in mental health care.

The Protective Intent of Involuntary Commitment

When someone experiences a mental health crisis that poses a danger to themselves or others, involuntary commitment can be a necessary intervention. The primary goal is to provide immediate safety and access to treatment that the individual may not be able to seek out on their own. For many, these situations arise suddenly and unpredictably, leaving loved ones and professionals to make rapid decisions about how best to ensure safety.

The Experience of Criminalization

Despite its protective intentions, the process of involuntary commitment can feel punitive. Individuals are often transported by law enforcement rather than medical personnel, handcuffed, and placed in environments reminiscent of incarceration rather than care. This experience can be traumatizing, exacerbating existing mental health issues, and creating a reluctance to seek help in the future.

The criminalization of mental health crises reflects broader societal stigmas around mental illness, where individuals are viewed through a lens of danger rather than vulnerability. This contributes to a cycle where those in need of support are met with fear and control rather than empathy and understanding.

Preventive Measures for College Students

Recognizing these challenges, it becomes imperative to focus on preventive measures, particularly in environments like college campuses, where stress and mental health issues are prevalent. By implementing comprehensive mental health services and support systems, we can work towards reducing the need for involuntary commitments.

Initiatives to Consider

Increased Mental Health Resources: Colleges can offer more accessible counseling services, mental health workshops, and peer support groups to help students manage stress and seek help early.
Crisis Intervention Training: Campus staff and students should be trained in recognizing signs of mental health crises and how to respond with empathy and care.
Awareness Campaigns: Promoting mental health awareness can help destigmatize seeking help, encouraging students to reach out before situations escalate to a crisis.
Collaborative Support Networks: Establishing partnerships with local mental health organizations can give students a broader range of resources and support options.

Beyond Policy Reform: The Need for Ethical Trauma-Informed Leadership

While policy reform is an essential step in addressing the paradox of involuntary commitment, it is not a panacea. Policies alone cannot transform the deeply ingrained systems and mindsets that contribute to the criminalization of mental health crises. To create meaningful change, we need ethical trauma-informed leadership that prioritizes empathy, understanding, and proactive support.

Why Policy Reform Isn't Enough

Systemic Issues Persist: Policies may change, but without a shift in institutional culture and attitudes, the underlying issues remain. Simply altering procedures does not address the stigma and fear associated with mental health crises.
Lack of Implementation: Even the best-intended policies can fall short if they are not implemented effectively. Without proper training and resources, staff may struggle to adhere to new guidelines, rendering reforms ineffective.
One-Size-Fits-All Solutions: Policies often fail to account for individual needs and circumstances. A standardized approach can inadvertently overlook the nuances of each person's experience, leading to inadequate care and support.

The Essence of Ethical Trauma-Informed Leadership

Ethical trauma-informed leadership goes beyond policy reform by fostering an environment where individuals feel valued, understood, and supported. This leadership style is crucial for determining how organizations lead, grow, impact, and scale their efforts in mental health care.

Lead with Empathy and Understanding

Prioritize Emotional Intelligence: Leaders must cultivate empathy and actively listen to those they serve. This involves understanding the lived experiences of individuals in crisis and responding with compassion.
Model Respectful Interactions: By demonstrating respectful and non-judgmental interactions, leaders set a standard for how all staff should engage with individuals experiencing mental health challenges.

Grow Through Continuous Learning

Invest in Training: Ongoing education in trauma-informed care principles is essential for all staff, ensuring they remain informed about the best practices and approaches to support those in crisis.
Encourage Reflection and Feedback: Creating spaces for staff to reflect on their experiences and share feedback can lead to continuous improvement and innovation in care practices.

Impact by Building Supportive Communities

Foster Collaboration and Inclusion: Leaders should actively build partnerships with community mental health organizations, ensuring a comprehensive and diverse support network for individuals.
Champion Mental Health Advocacy: By advocating for mental health awareness and destigmatization within the community, leaders can foster a culture of acceptance and support.

Scale Efforts Through Strategic Vision

Set Clear Goals and Metrics: Leaders must define clear, measurable goals for their mental health initiatives, regularly assessing progress and areas for enhancement.
Leverage Resources Effectively: Allocating resources wisely ensures that initiatives are sustainable and can reach a broader audience, amplifying their positive impact.

In conclusion, ethical trauma-informed leadership is indispensable for driving real change in mental health care systems. By focusing on empathy, continuous learning, supportive communities, and strategic vision, leaders can transform not only their organizations but also the broader societal approach to mental health crises. It's not just about policy—it's about people. Enhancing preventive measures on college campuses can create environments where students feel supported and empowered to seek help, reducing the likelihood of crises leading to involuntary commitments. This shift not only promotes safety but also respects the dignity and humanity of individuals experiencing mental health challenges.

Hi, I am Dr. Teranda Knight, a doctor of behavioral health with over 18 years of combined experience in crisis behavioral health, employee assistant counseling and consulting services, adjunct professor of psychology, and certified nursing assistant in my earlier years. I have worked in the community, nursing homes, hospitals, and nursing home settings. I seek to improve the physical and behavioral health of college students often sent off to a new place, feeling they have little to no support, where they are driving severe physical and behavioral changes that can impact their academic success. My role is to help higher education identify waste and areas to improve their process to ensure the success of students through organization assessments, leadership assessments, training, and education on how to improve the processes and systems in place. Join me in making more campuses safe. Never feed the beast. Work hard and stay peaceful, and remember that safety over criminality starts with early interventions through systems and processes.

Reach out today!