An Assessment of Virginia's Temporary Detention Order Process: Impacts on Public Services Delivery and Stakeholders

Stakeholders contend Virginia’s public system of mental healthcare lacks adequate access to services, and its temporary detention order process contributes to undue burden on individuals, state and private hospitals, and law enforcement. The purpose of this applied study was to analyze Virginia’s mental healthcare system to identify factors that can be altered and best practices that can be implemented to improve care for citizens admitted under temporary detention orders. The study did this through triangulation of data collection methods including archival dataset analysis, secondary document analysis, and semi-structured interviews. Additionally, the study examined the literature and offered suggestions for best practices to assist state-operated psychiatric hospitals and other public service organizations providing that care. Nationally, the social and economic pressures for emergency mental healthcare services are growing. Findings from this study showed Virginia has made progress towards improving its public system of mental healthcare; however, it still has much work to do. Legislative, fiscal, operational, and policy changes will be required to address a complex set of needs. States must have resources and supports in place to protect these vulnerable populations.