Assistive Outpatient Treatment
In enacting Louisiana's Law for Assistive Outpatient Treatment in 2008 (Act 407 of the 2008 Regular Legislative Session), the Louisiana Legislature was responding to the finding that some people, as a result of the debilitating effects of mental illness, have great difficulty meeting their own needs for treatment, and often reject outpatient treatment offered to them on a voluntary basis. Failure to access the care needed can increase the likelihood of negative outcomes such as suicidal gestures, homelessness, incarceration or, on occasion, becoming involved in acts of violence causing harm to one’s self or others.