One always hopes that no one will ever have to be put in an involuntary hold, or that someone in their family will have to be put into an involuntary hold. Yet if it ever happens, it’s important to know the difference between a 5150 hold and a 5585 hold, and the legal details behind them if one ever has to be done.

From 5150 to 5585 Holds

First off, you may know what a 5150 is, but 5585 is a number many people may not be familiar with. Here’s the big distinction between the two. A 5150 was the number established by the Welfare and Institutions Code that can put an adult in an involuntary hold for 72-hours. A person has to be considered a danger to themselves or others to be put into a 5150 involuntary hold.

With a 5585, however, the number was also established by the Welfare and Institutions Code, but this code refers to a minor who has to be put into a 72-hour hold. And again, a minor has to be considered a danger to themselves or others or be “gravely disabled” to be put into a 72-hour hold or eventually be committed to a teen psych hospital. These definitions fit under the “probable cause” that someone should be put in an involuntary hold.

Involuntary Holds in the News

As it turns out, every state has a variation of the 5150 or 5585 holds, and usually, 72 hours is the maximum time you can be held.

Amanda Bynes was one celebrity who was put on a 5150 hold several years ago, and as a report in The Daily Beast on her arrest states, “If it’s determined that the reason for a [5150 or 5585] hold is a result of mental illness, a second order can be made to medicate the patient in order to stabilize them to a level where they no longer are a danger.”

In the case of Bynes’s hold, she had the choice of going into a 24-hour care or outpatient treatment program, or she could refuse to seek treatment. “In some cases, no charges are filed and the patient is free, at their own risk of a relapse,” the Beast continues.

As it turns out, over the last decade or so a handful of celebrities of various age groups have been put into 5150 holds including Paris Jackson, Michael Jackson’s daughter, Bynes, and David Hasselhoff, who was put on a hold after suffering from a number of incidents of alcohol poisoning.

Parents Dealing With Involuntary Holds

Having to put your adolescent in an involuntary hold is never easy for any parent to go through, but it often can be necessary to save your child’s life. And when parents can’t handle their teen’s mental health issues, it’s important to let them be helped by professionals at a teen psych hospital or another qualified mental health facility.

Mendi is a passionate advocate for teens and adults in the mental health and addiction arenas. Mendi envisions and creates programs bringing a unique approach to mental health and substance use treatment.

Clinically trained, Mendi earned a BA with honors in psychology and social work at the University of Maryland and an MSW at the University of Maryland School of Social Work. His extensive experience as a therapist includes individual and group psychotherapy for children, adolescents, adults and families in various settings.

Mendi has gained insight and experience from his work at several treatment centers, which include the Chesapeake Center for Youth Development, the Carroll County Youth Services Bureau, Chabad Crisis Centers and the Center for Discovery and Adolescent Changes.

Prior to launching Hope Street, Mendi conceived and built multiple successful, high end adolescent and adult residential facilities and outpatient programs that include Ignite Teen Treatment, Eden Treatment and Elemental Treatment.

Mendi has appeared on the Dr. Phil show, is regularly featured in mental health and addiction publications and speaks around the country in person, on TV and on Radio shows on these topics.

With his newest ventures, Mendi instills a unique blend of energy, creativity and expertise to the treatment of teens, adults and their families dealing with trauma, addiction and mental health issues.

The son of a Rabbi and eldest of 11 children, Mendi is a part-time rock musician, boxer, cantor and father of four.