EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The El Paso County Attorney’s Office is trumpeting a Texas Supreme Court decision that it says protects the rights of Texans facing involuntary commitment.
In the case known as “In Re: A.R.C.,” the state Supreme Court ruled unanimously that psychiatry residents, like those in this case, qualify as “psychiatrists” under Texas state law, ensuring that individuals undergoing involuntary commitment proceedings have access to qualified medical professionals, the County Attorney’s Office said in a news release sent out late Friday afternoon, Feb. 16.
“This is a monumental decision for the people of Texas, especially those facing mental health
challenges,” said El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal in the news release.
“The Supreme Court has affirmed that psychiatry residents possess the expertise and training
necessary to serve as psychiatrists in involuntary commitment cases. This ruling ensures that Texans have access to qualified medical professionals during these critical proceedings, safeguarding their rights and well-being,” Bernal added.
Bernal’s office said that in many parts of the state, there aren’t enough mental health professionals and this court decision means that psychiatry residents, who are in the advanced stages of their professional training, can step in and fill this gap.
This ruling also means that someone who is going through a severe mental health crisis can get the “right help” quickly, according to the news release.
The ruling stems from a 2022 case in which an El Pasoan, only identified as A.R.C, was involuntarily committed for mental health treatment after “exhibiting concerning behavior,” according to the County Attorney’s Office.
The paperwork authorizing the commitment was completed by two second-year psychiatry residents.
A.R.C challenged his commitment, contending that the psychiatry residents were not legally qualified as “psychiatrists” under Texas law.
The dispute focused on whether the definition of “physician,” which includes residents, extends to the term “psychiatrist,” the County Attorney’s Office said.
The El Paso County Attorney’s Office defended the psychiatry residents’ qualifications with their specialized training they were receiving.
“Ultimately, the Texas Supreme Court ruled in favor of the County, clarifying that second-year or higher psychiatry residents do qualify as ‘psychiatrists’ in this context,” the County Attorney’s Office said in its release.
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