What is a 5150 suspension? Involuntary mental health hospitalization explained. (Illustration by Aisha Yousaf) The term “5150 hold” has been used in the media in stories of psychologically distressed people who are determined to need involuntary mental health intervention, let’s look at its origins. The number refers to the section of the California State Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) on “Detention of Mentally Disordered Persons for Evaluation and Treatment.” Code 5150 states that when a person, due to a mental health disorder, poses a danger to others or to themselves,…
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