Allegheny Cty Implements Involuntary Mental Health Care

Allegheny County in Pennsylvania will begin using a controversial legal tool for involuntary mental health care in the community, beginning Jan. 1. County officials are implementing assisted outpatient treatment. They’re the first county to do so after state lawmakers voted for it in 2018. Officials were motivated by people’s calls for helping someone before they reach the legal threshold of being a danger to themselves or others. The county will establish an advisory group to monitor implementation and review progress through 2026. Opponents argue involuntary care can destroy a patient’s trust in the public mental health system and has serious implications for the civil rights and individual autonomy of those in need of care.