5150

"When any person, as a result of mental disorder, is a danger to others, or to himself or herself, or gravely disabled, a peace officer, member of the attending staff, as defined by regulation, of an evaluation facility designated by the county, designated members of a mobile crisis team provided by Section 5651.7, or other professional person designated by the county may, upon probable cause, take, or cause to be taken, the person into custody and place him or her in a facility designated by the county and approved by the State Department of Mental Health as a facility for 72-hour treatment and evaluation". As stated in the WELFARE AND INSTITUTIONS CODE SECTION 5150-5157.
Hearing Britney Spears being rushed to the hospital on a 5150 and my own daughter, Pua, who now issues that order upon herself when she is having a mental breakdown, can only receive the qualified care that they need instead of being stricken to a jail cell. In comparing these two young women, highly intelligent, beautiful, outgoing, seeking attention, substance abuse, readily available gentlemen suitors, loves children, enjoy singing and their love of shopping. They would do well in a facility together and the stories they would share. As with Britney's young life, a barrage of events and excessiveness solidified what she is going through. It was and is the same for my daughter, too young, too accessible, too soon and too much. Our youth today have much to contend with let alone the pressures that go along with growing up in this society. Pushing the limits until it all comes tumbling down and nowhere to go but home. Disruptive, chaotic, abusive, aggressive and a host of other words that derive from this culture of GENX'ers and Babyholics plays out like a disastrous B movie.