Trends in Involuntary Psychiatric Hospitalization in British Columbia: Descriptive Analysis of Population-Based Linked Administrative Data from 2008 to 2018
Open accessAbstract
INTRODUCTION: Involuntary psychiatric hospitalization occurs when someone with a serious mental disorder requires treatment without their consent. Trends vary globally, and currently, there is limited data on involuntary hospitalization in Canada. We examine involuntary hospitalization trends in British Columbia, Canada, and describe the social and clinical characteristics of people ages 15 and older who were involuntarily hospitalized between 2008/2009 and 2017/2018. METHOD: We used population-based linked administrative data to examine and compare trends in involuntary and voluntary hospitalizations for mental and substance use disorders. We described patient characteristics (sex/gender, age, health authority, income, urbanity/rurality, and primary diagnosis) and tracked the count of involuntarily hospitalized people over time by diagnosis. Finally, we examined population-based prevalence over time by age and sex/gender. RESULTS: Involuntary hospitalizations among British Columbians ages 15 and older rose from 14,195 to 23,531 (65.7%) between 2008/2009 and 2017/2018. Apprehensions involving police increased from 3,502 to 8,009 (128.7%). Meanwhile, voluntary admissions remained relatively stable, with a minimal increase from 17,651 in 2008/2009 to 17,751 in 2017/2018 (0.5%). The most common diagnosis for involuntary patients in 2017/2018 was mood disorders (25.1%), followed by schizophrenia (22.3%), and substance use disorders (18.8%). From 2008/2009 to 2017/2018, the greatest increase was observed for substance use disorders (139%). Over time, population-based prevalence increased most rapidly among women ages 15-24 (162%) and men ages 15-34 (81%) and 85 and older (106%). CONCLUSION: Findings highlight the need to strengthen the voluntary care system for mental health and substance use, especially for younger adults, and people who use substances. They also signal a need for closer examination of the use of involuntary treatment for substance use disorders, as well as further research exploring forces driving police involvement and its implications.
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Some observers have noted a correlation between increases in involuntary detainment of individuals in psychiatric crisis and limited or non-existent access to voluntary mental health treatment options, including upstream services that may prevent psychiatric crises.
“Some observers have noted a correlation between increases in involuntary detainment of individuals in psychiatric crisis and limited or non-existent access to voluntary mental health treatment options, including upstream services that may prevent psychiatric crises [12–15].”
From “Backed into a Corner”: Lived experiences of receiving and providing involuntary psychiatric treatment under British Columbia’s Mental Health Act (2026) · cites this paper as [14]
Substance use disorders represented the third largest diagnosis type for people detained and involuntarily treated under the Mental Health Act.
“Substance use disorders represented the third largest diagnosis type for people detained and involuntarily treated under the MH Act [14].”
From “Backed into a Corner”: Lived experiences of receiving and providing involuntary psychiatric treatment under British Columbia’s Mental Health Act (2026) · cites this paper as [14]
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“Substance use disorders represented the third largest diagnosis type for people detained and involuntarily treated under the MH Act [14].”
- Authors
- Loyal, J. P., Lavergne, M. R., Shirmaleki, M., Fischer, B., Kaoser, R., Makolewksi, J., & Small, W.
- Affiliations
- Simon Fraser University (CA)
- Dalhousie University (CA)
- University of Auckland (NZ)
- Corresponding author
- Small, Will
- Venue
- The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2022-10-06
- Volume
- 68
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 257-268
- ISSN
- 0706-7437 (ISSN-L)
- 1497-0015
- PMC
- PMC10037746
- OpenAlex
- W4302290781
- Cited by
- 17
- References
- 47
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 3
- FWCI
- 2.74
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research (148170)
- Canadian Institutes of Health Research (148170)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Healthcare Decision-Making and Restraints
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychiatric care and mental health services
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Historical Psychiatry and Medical Practices
- Keywords
- involuntary psychiatric hospitalization, involuntary treatment, mental health services, substance use disorders, police involvement, voluntary hospitalization, mood disorders, schizophrenia, prevalence trends, young adults, British Columbia, health equity, urban-rural disparities, income inequality, gender disparities, linked administrative data
- MeSH terms
- Involuntary Treatment, Adolescent, Adult, Mental Disorders, British Columbia, Commitment of Persons with Psychiatric Disorders, Female, Hospitalization, Humans, Male, Substance-Related Disorders, Young Adult
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