Maryland launches court-ordered mental health treatment program

MARYLAND (WBFF) — Maryland health officials are launching a controversial program to help those with severe mental health challenges adhere to their treatment by using a court order to mandate that some patients comply with their medical plans.

The Maryland Department of Health announced Thursday that the Assisted Outpatient Treatment program will allow mental health professionals, family members, friends and others with a relationship to a patient to petition a circuit court for mandated treatment.

Severe mental illnesses, including bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, can interfere with the patient’s ability to recognize that they need medical care, depending on how their conditions manifest.

Such situations can lead to repeated hospitalization or incarceration for an individual suffering from behavioral health challenges, while being heartbreaking for families who watch a loved one’s struggle with mental health.

Read the full story on The Baltimore Sun.