Editing Mental Health and Psychosocial Nursing (section)

== Legal and Ethical Foundations ==
* '''Voluntary admission''': the client retains all rights including the right to request discharge, though many jurisdictions allow a short holding period for evaluation.
* '''Involuntary commitment''': generally requires danger to self, danger to others, or grave disability. It is time-limited and subject to judicial review. '''Involuntary admission does not by itself remove the right to refuse treatment'''; a separate determination of incompetence or a specific emergency is usually required.
* '''Retained rights''': to be treated with dignity, to communicate and receive visitors, to keep personal belongings, to informed consent, to refuse treatment, to confidentiality, to an individualized treatment plan, and to the least restrictive setting.
* '''Duty to warn and protect''' (Tarasoff principle): a serious, credible threat against an identifiable person obligates the treatment team to act, which may include warning the intended victim and notifying law enforcement.
* '''Emergency treatment''' may be given over refusal when necessary to prevent imminent serious harm, using the least restrictive effective measure and documenting the emergency.
* Assault is the threat, battery is the unconsented touching, and false imprisonment includes unjustified seclusion or restraint. Document less restrictive measures tried.
* Mandatory reporting applies to suspected abuse or neglect of children and vulnerable adults.