Mental Health Commitment Laws: A Survey of the States

Instead of being a single, unified system, mental health in the U.S. is a patchwork of legal frameworks shaped by state laws, policies, and priorities. Each state defines for itself […]

The AOT evaluator is a key member of the AOT team who can help to determine AOT’s impact on participants, ensure the program’s sustainability, and optimize service delivery for AOT […]

The number of state hospital beds in the United States has recently reached a historic low. This shortage of beds has tangible impacts on the lives and well-being of people […]

In this paper, which was published in Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, Treatment Advocacy Center and researchers from Northeast Ohio Medical University partner to […]

The number of state psychiatric hospital beds for adults with severe mental illness has continued to decline to a historic low of 36,150, or 10.8 per 100,000 population in 2023, […]

Assisted outpatient treatment is a community outpatient treatment program for people with severe mental illness who have a history of difficulty with treatment engagement. Under a court order, an individual […]

Women with severe mental illness face unique experiences and obstacles compared with men with severe mental illness and other women without schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or major depression. Severe mental illness […]

People with serious mental illness are often on the outskirts of society, hidden from view of the public and policymakers. As a result, individuals with the most severe psychiatric disorders, […]

Note: This report was updated in 2026. Visit Grading the States: An Analysis of U.S. Psychiatric Treatment Laws to learn more about the most up-to-date treatment laws in your state.  […]