Table 2 Criteria for involuntary observation and treatment under the Norwegian Mental Health Care Act (1999 No. 62 with later amendments)
From: Interpretations of legal criteria for involuntary psychiatric admission: a qualitative analysis
Criterion | Description |
|---|---|
Disorder | The patient is suffering from a serious mental disorder and has been examined by two independent physicians; and |
Voluntariness | Voluntary care has been tried, to not avail, or it is obviously pointless to try this; and |
Necessary treatment | The application of compulsory mental health care is necessary to prevent the person from having the prospects of his or her health being restored or significantly improved considerably reduced, or it is highly probable that the condition of the person concerned will significantly deteriorate in the vey near future; or |
Risk of harm | The application of compulsory mental health care is necessary to prevent the person from constituting an obvious and serious risk to his or her own life and health or those of others; and |
Best interest | Compulsory care may only be applied when this appears to be the best solution for the person, unless he or she constitutes an obvious and serious risk to the life or health of others. |