Baker Act

A Baker Act is a means of providing individuals with emergency services and temporary detention for mental health evaluation and treatment when required, either on a voluntary or an involuntary basis.

Guidelines

Involuntary examination may begin when:

A person signing an affidavit outlines why another person qualifies for such an examination; a judge then determines whether and when such an examination should begin. This process can be completed at The Vines.
A law enforcement officer sees a person he or she believes should be examined and takes that person to a facility, or a doctor or licensed mental health care provider determines a person should be examined, and a law enforcement officer then takes him or her to a facility for examination.

Help is Just a Phone Call Away

We cannot offer diagnosis, counseling or recommendations online, but an Assessment and Referral specialist is available 24 hours/7 days a week at 866-671-3130. If you are currently experiencing an emergency, please dial 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

If you prefer to contact us via email, please click here to fill out a request information form.