Inside the ethics of involuntary admission

Dr Susan Kamengere died under controversial circumstances after admission to a hospital. [Courtesy]

The recent death of Susan Kamengere at a hospital inspired a lot of debate on social media. While a postmortem has confirmed that she was strangled on her hospital bed, the excuse given for her admission raises a critical matter in health care. What do psychiatrists and other mental health professionals refer to as involuntary admission? When and how should it be applied?

A person suffering from a severe mental health condition is admitted without their consent because they don't understand they are sick and that they may pose a danger to themselves or others. They are unable to make informed decisions due to the severity of their mental illness.