What happens when the person gets to Common Ground?
A doctor will examine the person.It takes two doctors, one of whom must be a psychiatrist, to certify that the person is mentally ill and requires hospitalization.If a doctor feels the person is in need of inpatient treatment, Common Ground will transport the person to a local hospital for another evaluation (by a psychiatrist-MD).If the psychiatrist certifies that the person is in need of hospitalization, two physician certifications and a petition are forwarded to the court.Once certification is done, the hospital sends the physicians certificates to the court, and a hearing date is set within seven (7) days.An attorney is appointed for the person.The person remains hospitalized until the hearing occurs.
