Involuntary Commitments

If you have a family member or friend that you believe requires immediate treatment for a mental illness and/or chemical dependency you may contact the Catawba Mental Health Center at (803)285-7456 or if after hours the Community Crisis Response and Intervention (CCRI) at 833-364-2274 (833-DMH-CCRI), and they will request an Emergency Commitment, also known as a Detention Order if appropriate.  The CCRI operating hours are 24/7. The CMHC operating hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.  The requirements for a Detention Order are as follows: 

  • The individual must pose an immediate threat to self or others. 
  • If threats were made, they must have been witnessed by the petitioner within 24 hours of the Detention Order request. 
  • The petitioner must know where the individual is currently located. (This will assist law enforcement in locating and detaining the individual.) 
  • It is helpful to know whether the individual has a history of mental illness and/or chemical dependency. 
  • It is helpful to know whether the individual is currently taking any medication(s). 
  • It is helpful to know whether the individual is having any self-care or self-neglect issues, such as not sleeping, not eating, or neglecting hygiene, that suggest the possibility of harm to self.

Based on the information provided to the Mental Health Professional, the Detention Order request may or may not be forwarded to the Probate Court for approval.  If approved, the Probate Court will issue a Detention Order and if law enforcement are not already on the scene they will be dispatched to locate and detain the individual.  The individual will be transported to the emergency room, or wherever the CCRI clinician designates for an examination. If, in the opinion of the mental health professionals, the individual meets the requirements for an emergency commitment, then the individual will be admitted to an appropriate treatment facility.