Involuntary Commitment

Are you in an emergency?

In emergencies, always contact the Emergency Line at 112.

You can reach the emergency psychiatric department of Landsspítali at 543-4050.

Involuntary commitment refers to the situation where an individual with legal capacity is forcibly taken to a hospital and detained there, or when an individual who has voluntarily stayed in a hospital is detained against their will.

This is an exception to the rule that an individual with legal capacity cannot be involuntarily detained in a hospital.

Doctor's Decision on Involuntary Commitment for 72 Hours

A doctor can decide that an individual with legal capacity should be forcibly taken and detained in a hospital for up to 72 hours if:

• They are suffering from a severe mental illness.

• There is a significant likelihood that they are suffering from a severe mental illness.

• Their condition is such that it can be equated to a severe mental illness.

• They are struggling with severe alcohol addiction or substance abuse.

Involuntary Commitment with the Approval of the District Commissioner

The District Commissioner can approve that an individual with legal capacity be detained against their will in a hospital for up to 21 days if:

• The same conditions as mentioned above are met.

• Involuntary commitment is deemed indispensable by a doctor.

Request for the District Commissioner's Approval of Involuntary Commitment

The social services of the municipality where the individual resides can submit a request to the District Commissioner for the individual to be involuntarily detained in a hospital if it is deemed justified based on the recommendations of the individual themselves, relatives, a doctor, or friends, or based on other knowledge of the individual's welfare. The request must be accompanied by a medical certificate.

Procedure at the District Commissioner's Office

The District Commissioner shall process the request as soon as it is received. The District Commissioner shall obtain the necessary documents if the request cannot be processed based on the application and the accompanying medical certificate.

The District Commissioner shall have a trusted doctor who can be consulted if necessary before granting permission for involuntary commitment.

The District Commissioner's decision on whether to approve involuntary commitment shall be written, reasoned, and communicated to the applicant.

If the request is approved, the decision shall be immediately sent to the chief physician at the relevant hospital in a secure manner, along with a copy of the medical certificate that accompanied the request.

The District Commissioner shall also send a copy of the approval to the individual who is involuntarily detained, stating that they have the right to receive advice and support from a counsellor regarding their hospital stay and treatment, and that they are entitled to seek a court ruling on the District Commissioner's decision on detention.

Involuntary commitment approved by the District Commissioner shall never last longer than deemed necessary by the chief physician and no longer than 21 days from the date of the District Commissioner's decision.

Appeal of Involuntary Commitment

An individual who has been involuntarily detained in a hospital can appeal the decision on involuntary commitment to the courts.

Extension of Involuntary Commitment

It is permissible by court order to extend an individual's involuntary commitment once for up to 12 weeks after the 21-day period from the date of the District Commissioner's decision.

It is also permissible to extend an individual's involuntary commitment if a court application has been made to deprive them of their legal capacity.