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The National Institute of Mental Health publishes the “Draft Act Governing Hospitalization of the Mentally Ill.”

Date: 1951

MHP

The act states that voluntary commitment to psychiatric institutions is preferable, but in case of danger of injury, or if the person is determined to lack the capacity to make their own decisions, involuntary commitment is acceptable.

The act puts the right to determine mental capacity and danger of injury into the hands of psychiatrists.