At a recent meeting of the Blair County Prison Re-entry Coalition, officials discussed the possibility of developing a more systematic approach to ensuring that individuals experiencing mental health crises that aren’t severe enough to justify involuntary commitment are nevertheless guided toward outpatient care with minimal delay.

The discussion centered around instances where individuals have acted out in ways that led to involuntary commitment petitions that allege they’re a danger to themselves or others — allegations that a physician does not “uphold” — leading to unconditional releases that lead to further problems in connection with those individuals.

The suggested alternative would be a “warm handoff,” so that individuals would be directed to outpatient care within the following day or two, officials said.

While the individual is still in the Emergency Department, a behavioral health navigator could help set up an appointment with a counselor, therapist, psychologist or psychiatrist, depending on the appropriate level of follow-up care, according to Trish Johnson, director of the Blair County Department of Social Services and coalition member.

At such followup appointments, the professional involved could help get the individual who has been in crisis or acting out back on track, according to Johnson.

The warm handoff to an appropriate level of care would be “expedited but not always immediate,” Johnson said.

The regulations applicable to involuntary commitment are in Section 302 of the Pennsylvania Mental Health Procedures Act.

It allows for a person to be held involuntarily for up to 120 hours — five days — for involuntary psychiatric evaluation and treatment, according to an online source.

It’s a non-criminal action, according to the online source.

Petitions are usually made by family, a doctor or police, according to the source.

If upheld, police or an ambulance may transport the individual to an appropriate facility.

The significant legal bar — that an individual is a danger to themselves or others — is designed to ensure that individuals are not deprived of their freedom without “clear and consistent evidence” they meet the criteria for involuntary commitment, according to Johnson.

Mirror Staff Writer William Kibler is at 814-949-7038.