53-21-1301: Purpose.

The purpose of this part is to:

(1) promote more timely, informed, compassionate, and effective mental health care;

(2) recognize the right of any person who has capacity to give or withhold informed consent for mental health services;

(3) prevent unnecessary delays in receiving care for a mental disorder in times of impending or actual crisis;

(4) allow a person with mental illness to provide the legal authority for provision of health care during a period of incapacity, even over the person's own protest;

(5) reduce the use of costly legal interventions, including emergency detentions, civil commitment, involuntary medication, and guardianship;

(6) minimize the impacts of crisis on people, families, communities, and providers; and

(7) support the relationship between the provider and the patient by promoting thoughtful, constructive, and timely communication.