Psychiatric News (8/21) reports a study found that “rates of civil commitment vary widely across the country, with nine states and the District of Columbia (D.C.) reporting significant increases from 2010 to 2022,” and no states showing “a significant decrease.” Researchers were able to obtain “data on civil commitment rates between 2010 and 2022 for 32 states and D.C.” They observed that across these states, “there were an average of 213.84 involuntary civil commitments per 100,000 population. Rates ranged from 13.50 per 100,000 population in Tennessee to 875.98 per 100,000 in Florida.” Rates reported by state mental health authorities (SMHAs) “were significantly higher than rates obtained from state court data.” The researchers “said that the findings underscore the need for consistent and transparent reporting standards.” The study was published in Psychiatric Services.
Related Links:
— “Involuntary Inpatient Civil Commitment: Trends From 2010 to 2022,” Mustafa Karakus, Ph.D., Victoria Nelson, Ph.D., Emma Scott, B.A., Sushmita Shoma Ghose, Ph.D., Tina Marshall, Ph.D., John Cosgrove, Ph.D., N. Phil Masiakowski, B.A., and David Cohen, Ph.D., Psychiatric Services, August 21, 2025