The Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia release two new videos that explain the civil involuntary commitment process.
West Virginia has the second-highest rate of adults experiencing mental illness in thenation, according to Mental Health America (see Prevalence Data 2022 | Mental Health
America (mhanational.org). As a result, mental illness and substance use disorders affect thousands of West Virginians.
Individuals with these conditions are sometimes a danger to themselves or others and refuse or are unable to realize that they need medical or mental health care. When this happens, family members and friends who recognize the need for help can turn to the involuntary commitment process
“The legal process can be confusing, but these videos clearly explain each step to anyone who might need to know because of their own or a loved one’s mental illness or substance abuse disorder. We created these videos as part of the judiciary’s ongoing efforts to educate and make the court system more accessible and transparent,” Chief Justice Beth Walker said.
There are two videos. An 18-minute video explains the process from the filing of an involuntary commitment petition through final commitment and beyond. A 12-minute video is a condensed version of the longer video and focuses on the procedures before final commitment.
The videos are posted on the West Virginia Judiciary YouTube Channel:
Extended version: https://youtu.be/FKWcCKixhqs
Shorter version: https://youtu.be/D9Ti7OUohNU
The videos were produced by Mtn Craft, a production company based in Fairmont, and paid for with grants awarded by the Justice and Community Services Section of the West Virginia Division of Administrative Services.
Original source can be found here.