Journal of Psychology & Psychotherapy
Open Access
ISSN: 2161-0487
+44 1478 350008
ISSN: 2161-0487
+44 1478 350008
Chatzisimeonidis I. Stavros
Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences, Athens, Greece
Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Psychol Psychother
The present study aimed to shed light upon the procedure of involuntary hospitalizations, regarding the preparatory stage and the Police involvement up to the individuals ‘ admission to the on-call hospital for a mental health assessment (MHA). The entry data of two police stations in Athens was recorded by the respective Duty Officer responsible for each case. The police records were retrospectively inspected and information on sociodemographic, clinical and parametric characteristics was extracted. The data collection took place between March and July 2020 and included 324 cases, 80.3% of which referred to involuntary hospitalizations; 17.6% of sample cases did not meet the criteria of the procedure, as opposed to 1.9% of the cases in which the patients eventually ended up being voluntarily admitted and afterwards hospitalized for treatment. There was a statistically comparison of socio- demographic, clinical and parametric variables in relation to the status of hospitalization groups (involuntary, voluntary and no hospitalization). Additionally, statistical comparisons were made between parametric and clinical variables in relation to the type of prosecution order (written: standard route, oral: emergency route). Acute mental health deterioration accounted for around 45% of the total data and it has been identified as the main factor for informing the Hearings Prosecutor office mainly by the patient’s family and subsequently proceeding to the issuance of an order (in either written or oral form) to the Police. This enables the Police to escort the individuals and lead them to a psychiatric unit for mental health assessment (MHA) and based on this, for involuntary hospitalization if deemed necessary. In 87.9% of the cases, the individual was transported by police vehicles over a time span ranging from the very same day to 22 days. In total, the written prosecution orders (63.6%) outnumbered the oral ones (36.7%). The findings of the present study demonstrate that the Prosecution order type varies significantly depending on the causes that instigated the involuntary hospitalization procedure. The psychiatric decision whether there should be hospitalization or outpatient therapy also significantly varies depending on the diagnosis. Lastly, the results point out that the need for improvement and further clarification of the aforementioned Greek Law is absolutely essential.
Mr. Chatzisimeonidis, has completed his Bachelor in Psychology with 1st class Hons at the age of 32 years from Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences in Athens, Greece. Apart from Psychologist he is also Police Officer having serviced in crucial Special Police Services (i.e. Narcotics, Children violence and exploitation, Domestic Violence). He has been awarded by the Hellenic Police for outstanding acts. He was clinical researcher in the National Study about Involuntary psychiatric hospitalizations in Greece (second phase 2017-2020). For the time being he is interested in the management of psychiatric patients who experience domestic violence in their houses as well as the management of psychiatric patients by the Police and Mental Health Practitioners.