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Step 1
Determine if the family member does in fact have a mental illness or problem that warrants the attention of professional medical help.
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Step 2
Assess their symptoms by using the checklist to find out if their behavior is exemplified by what the checklist shows. To commit a family member into medical help at an institution is somewhat difficult if the person is not readily showing any outward signs of mental problems.
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Step 3
Talk with the family member and try to explain to them as much as possible the need to get them medical attention. Although this may seem fruitless, having them cooperate with you in this process can make things much easier for all involved.
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Step 4
Have the family member declared legally incompetent so that you or another family member can control their personal affairs, and so that the family can commit them into an institution. This may be necessary if the person is not cooperating fully with you.
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Step 5
Ask the family member's physician to draw up the necessary paperwork to have the person declared mentally incompetent and verbalize your wishes to the doctor that you want to commit a family member into a program for help. The doctor may be able to offer other resources where the person can get help. Also, without a doctor's recommendation, it may be difficult to find assistance for the family member to commit to the hospital.
