My new job is very, very challenging with a lot to learn. The laws for involuntary commitments are quite different here in NC than they were in WA. Basically, anyone can go to a magistrate's office and take out a petition to get anyone involuntarily committed to a psychiatric or substance abuse treatment facility. Then, the sheriff will track them down and haul them into the closest emergency department for an evaluation which is either upheld by the first examiner (physician or social worker and some others) or shot down. If it is upheld, that person is hauled off for treatment, many times unwanted and sometimes unneeded.

Here, I am acting as NC's version of what is known in Seattle/King County as a "County Designated Mental Health Provider," I will be responsible for correctly handling a bunch of important legal paperwork which basically limits peoples' civil rights. The agency I work for is both a provider and a regional authorizer of services (in WA I think they are called RSM's - bascially what the hospital authorization folks do) so many of people call on us - both lay people and professionals, frantic family members and put-upon law enforcement personnel. We do lots of assessments in a fairly isolated office without much support and no medical people for vitals, administering of meds, etc. It feels very dangerous and risky. The procedure is complex and there are few resources for basic things like transportation. I've actually witnessed a situation here where a client was involuntarily commited b/c of lack of transportation. You see, with an "IVC" (involuntary commitment), the county sheriff is required to transport. I will never complain about the WA mental health system again.