Mental Health

The Mental Health Services Division of the Jefferson Parish Coroner's Office responds to the public on a 365 days and 24/7 hours basis in mental health crisis situations. Access is gained by calling the general Coroner's office number (504) 365-9100 at any time.

CORONER INVOLUNTARY COMMITMENT

Pursuant to LSA R.S. 28:53.2, the office may issue an Order for Protective Custody (OPC) upon the request of a credible person who has witnessed the subject’s actions or behavior which indicates that the subject is a danger to themselves or others or gravely disabled as a result of mental illness or substance abuse and is unwilling to seek treatment. The OPC will authorize the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office to transport the subject to a treatment facility (commonly a hospital emergency room) for a mental status evaluation by a medical professional. This OPC process is usually accomplished by a credible person appearing in the Coroner’s office and signing the request for an OPC but can also be accomplished via teleconference from the following locations for those with transportation issues: KENNER POLICE DEPARTMENT, LAFITTE POLICE DEPARTMENT & GRAND ISLE POLICE DEPARTMENT. PLEASE CALL FOR MORE INFORMATION ON OFFSITE OPERATIONS.

Once at the treatment facility, the subject will be examined by a medical professional who will determine if the subject is a danger to themselves, a danger to others or is gravely disabled as a result of mental illness or substance abuse and is unwilling to do a voluntary admission. If the person is symptom free, they are released. If symptoms are found, this first medical exam results in the issuance of a Physician’s Emergency Certificate (PEC) which can detain or admit the subject against their will for up to 72 hours.

If a PEC is issued, and the subject remains detained because his symptoms are not cleared, the law requires a second examination by the Coroner which may result in a Coroner’s Emergency Certificate if the subject is found to meet the same criteria as stated above for a PEC. If both a PEC and CEC are issued on a subject, that person can be held against their will for up to 15 days at the treatment facility or until discharged by the treatment facility because they no longer meet any criteria.