Article 12 of the Saudi Mental Health Law

This Article deals with an exceptional situation: there is no specialist psychiatrist or any other physician to assess the mental patient's condition. In that case any of the following may temporarily detain the patient compulsorily in the hospital: the psychologist, the social worker, the psychological counselor or the psychiatric nurse.

The conditions:

1. Clear evidence that the person has a severe mental disorder whose symptoms pose a danger to him or to others at the time of examination, or a high likelihood of it.
2. No physician is available to examine the patient when the emergency admission decision is taken.

Duration: not more than 8 hours.

Notification: whoever takes the decision must notify the physician on duty and the management of the facility of the patient's condition, under procedures set out in the Implementing Regulations.

Expiry: the detention ends on the earlier of two events: the 8 hours pass, or the physician arrives to assess the condition and decide what he sees fit under the provisions of the Law.

The difference between this Article and Article 11 is that Article 11 gives the power to an emergency physician for up to 72 hours, while here the power belongs to non-physicians and is much shorter, because it is only a temporary measure until a physician arrives. For the definition of these practitioners and the requirement that they be licensed, see Article 1.

If you have a specific case, it is best to consult a lawyer who specializes in health regulations and patients' rights.