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NH Hospital provides services to acute mentally ill children, adolescents, adults and elders. To receive services you must be involuntarily or voluntarily admitted to NHH. The significant majority of admissions are involuntary. To be involuntarily committed a physician certificate and petition requesting admission must be completed as to form and content. The person being referred must pose a likelihood of danger to himself or others arising from a mental condition.
A person is "dangerous to himself" by demonstrating that:
- Within 40 days of completion of the petition the person inflicted or threatened to inflict serious bodily harm to himself and there is a likelihood that the act would occur or reoccur if the admission is not ordered; or
- The person demonstrates that he so lacks capacity to care for his own welfare that death or serious injury can result if admission is not ordered; or
- The person has been determined to be mentally disabled for at least a year; the person has had at least one involuntary admission; the person has no guardian; the person is not subject to a conditional discharge; the person has refused treatment determined to be necessary by an approved mental health program; and a psychiatrist at an approved mental health program has determined that there is a substantial probability that the refusal to accept treatment will lead to death or serious bodily injury.
A person is "dangerous to others" by demonstrating that within 40 days of the completion of the petition the person has inflicted or threatened to inflict serious bodily harm to others.
To be eligible for a voluntary admission to NHH an applicant must meet the following criteria:
- Be referred by a regional community mental health program (CMHP); and
- Have been certified by the CMHP as eligible for community mental health services; and
- If a guardian has been appointed the guardian may admit with the prior approval of the probate court or if no prior probate court approval, the guardian may admit to NHH provided the guardian has the authority to determine where the ward shall live and a psychiatrist licensed to practice in NH has certified in writing that placement at NHH is in the ward's best interests and is the least restrictive placement available; and
- If the person does not have a guardian, the person shall make an informed decision to consent to involuntary admission; and
- The voluntary admission has received the prior written approval of the NHH Medical Director or designee.
On occasion individuals are court ordered to NHH for evaluation.
Only individuals currently receiving services at NHH are eligible for admission to the Transitional Housing Program.
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