ADMISSION TO MISSISSIPPI'S STATE HOSPITALS
The process for mental health civil commitment for admission to the state hospitals begins with the filing of an affidavit (a legal document) at the Chancery Court. If a pre-evaluation screening at the mental health center suggests a commitment examination is warranted, an examination must be done by either two physicians or by a physician and a licensed, certified psychologist. If they recommend treatment in a hospital, or other setting, the judge will make a decision based on all the evidence presented, if treatment should proceed, and if so, at an inpatient or outpatient facility. When an individual is committed to a state hospital, the required legal documents are sent to that hospital's Admission Office by the Chancery Court. Once these documents are received, an admission date and time are set. The admission will involve a review of hospital documents, questions to obtain general information and an inventory of the individual's personal possessions.
TREATMENT PROGRAM
Like most illnesses, treatment for mental illness consists typically of a combination of medication, education and therapeutic programming. When individuals are admitted to a state hospital, they are oriented to their living environment by staff who review program schedules and activities, and individuals' rights and responsibilities with them. Initial assessments begin within a few hours after admission. They are conducted by members of the treatment team which consists of a doctor, nurses, psychology staff, recreation staff, and a social worker. Based on these assessments, individuals receiving treatment and their treatment team develop a treatment plan within the first week to ten days. The treatment plan describes goals for an individual to accomplish and lists groups, activities and other forms of treatment prescribed by the treatment team. Treatment at the state hospitals helps individuals to live as normal lives as possible in the most independent setting appropriate. Once discharged from a state hospital, most individuals continue treatment through various programs at their local community mental health center or other local programs. |
