Health & Mental Health – Psychiatric Facilities

What is a “psychiatric facility”? 

A psychiatric facility is a place for the observation, care and treatment of people with a mental health problem.

 I want to go to a psychiatric facility because I’m feeling suicidal or really need help right away – how do I do this?

You can choose to go to a hospital on your own as a voluntary patient unless you have been found incapable. The hospital does not have to take you in unless they agree that you need their help. 

Can I be put in a psychiatric facility against my will?

Yes. If someone (eg. a parent/caregiver, friend, relative, police officer, doctor or teacher) thinks that one or more of the following situations is happening, you may be put in a psychiatric facility:

• you have harmed yourself or someone else, or
• you have threatened to cause harm to yourself or another person; or
• you have shown an inability to take care of yourself. E.g. walking outside in shorts during a snowstorm, not eating, walking in traffic.

You can also be put in the facility if you have been found incapable and in the past you received helpful treatment for a similar mental health problem which, if not treated this time, will likely lead to you causing serious harm to yourself or someone else, or lead to you getting worse. If you are kept in a facility against your wishes, you are an involuntary patient.

How long can I be forced to stay in a psychiatric facility?

It depends. Doctors can sign different Forms to hold you.

If a doctor signs a Form 1, you can be held for up to 72 hours so that the facility can assess your condition. The doctor may then decide that you can leave.

If the doctor still thinks you should not leave and you are not willing to stay, a doctor can sign a Form 3, which is called a Certificate of Involuntary Admission. The facility can hold you for up to 2 more weeks.

After that, if the doctor thinks you should still stay and you don’t want tom the doctor can sign a Form 4 to hold you longer, which is called a Certificate of Renewal.

• The first time a Form 4 is signed, you can be held for up to 1 more month.
• The second time, for up to 2 more months.
• The third time, for up to 2 more months.
• After that, every Form 4 means you can be held in the facility for up to 3 more months.

Can I appeal these Forms?

You cannot appeal a Form 1. However, you can appeal a Form 3 or Form 4 to the Consent and Capacity Board.

A Rights Advisor from the Psychiatric Patient Advocates Office must visit you each time a Form 3 or 4 is signed to explain your right to appeal and ask if you want to appeal. Even if you decide to not appeal when the Rights Advisor visits you, you can change your mind later and ask to see the Rights Advisor again.

The Rights Advisor can help you apply for Legal Aid so that you can have a lawyer for your appeal. If you are under 16 and go to the hearing without a lawyer, the Consent and Capacity Board may ask the Office of the Children’s Lawyer to appoint a lawyer to represent you. 

When can I leave the facility?

If you are a voluntary patient, you can leave anytime.

If you are an involuntary patient you must stay until:

• the doctor says you can leave; or
• the Consent and Capacity Board says you can leave; or
• you are no longer an involuntary patient. For example, this can happen is a Form 3 or 4 expires and a new form is not signed by a doctor, then you become a voluntary patient and can leave any time.

Can my parents put me in a psychiatric facility even if I don’t want to go?

If you are under 16 and you have been found incapable, your parents or other substitute decision-maker can agree to you being admitted in a psychiatric facility so that you can get treatment. You cannot be forced to stay by your parents or substitute decision-maker; however, the doctor can sign the necessary forms to make you an involuntary patient.

If you are 16 and over and you have been found incapable, your parents cannot agree to your admission against your wishes unless they are:

• your court-appointed guardian of the person,
• if they have the appropriate power; or
• your attorney for personal care.

You cannot be forced to stay by your parents; however, the doctor can sign the necessary forms to make you an involuntary patient.