A professional mental care individual or a pschychiatrist should be present when an individual is involuntarily committed to a mental institution. Here in Arkansas a District Judge can make this decision. This needs to be changed.
Why is this important?
A person can be involuntarily committed to a mental institution without a professional present who could give his or her professional opinion as to the validity of such a decision. Yes, it happened to me personally, the after effect of which can be devastating for the person involved. There needs to be an advocate to help the person who has to endure such a commitment.
