What is a Form 2—Order for Examination?
A Form 2—Order for Examination - Form 2 (from the Ontario government website) is a legal form that you can use when you are concerned that someone is a risk to themself or others and they will not see a doctor about their mental health.
A Form 2 authorizes the police to take the person for a mental health examination. This means that, once a Form 2 is signed, the police are legally allowed for seven days to look for the person and bring them to a doctor for an examination. This will typically be at a hospital.
Anyone can apply for a Form 2.
When would you use a Form 2—Order of Examination?
You may be concerned about the safety of someone you care about.
When they will not voluntarily seek help, this can be a difficult situation for families.
A Form 2 can be an important tool to ensure the safety of your family member and those around them.
However, it also has significant consequences and may affect the relationship you have with your family member.
How is a Form 2 is issued?
You can go to an Ontario Court of Justice and ask for a justice of the peace:
- A justice of the peace is not a judge.
- They are judicial officers who are appointed to make decisions about certain provincial and municipal court matters, including bail hearings.
- They decide whether to sign the Form 2.
- You will not need an appointment to meet with them.
When signed by a justice of the peace, a Form 2 authorizes the police to bring someone to a doctor for a psychiatric examination as soon as is possible.
This doctor may be at a hospital or their office.
What can you expect when a Form 2 is issued?
The police have seven days from the date the Form 2 is signed to locate the person and bring them to a place for the examination to occur.
The Form 2 does not authorize the person to be detained at a hospital.
The Form 2 does not result in the person being criminally charged.
Once the examination has occurred, the doctor will determine the next steps for the person’s care:
- For example, a doctor may complete a Form 1 (“Application for Psychiatric Assessment”) if they decide that the person needs to be detained in hospital for a psychiatric assessment (and certain other criteria are met).
- Alternatively, a doctor may offer the person a voluntary admission to hospital, or allow them to leave.
Steps involved in the Form 2 process
Obtaining a Form 2 involves a legal process. These steps will help you to understand the steps that are involved.
1. Complete a Form 2 fillable pdf online and print a copy or ask to fill a Form 2 at any Ontario Court of Justice.
2. Visit the courthouse located nearest to you. To find your local courthouse, you can use the courthouse locator. Bring the following with you:
- your photo ID and your contact information.
- as much information as possible about the medical and psychiatric condition of the person or any current or historic risk to their safety or the safety of others. (Part A and Part B on the form include specific examples of the type of information to bring).
- if possible, a recent picture of the person.
3. At the courthouse, ask for a justice of the peace. You do not need an appointment and there is no fee. Your discussion with a justice of the peace about the Form 2 will be in a private space.
- Present the completed Form 2 to the justice of the peace.
- Share your concerns and observations about the person’s behaviour along with any additional documents, reports, assessments, videos, images or communications that demonstrate or support your concerns.
- The following information can be helpful to provide to the justice of the peace:
- The person’s mental health history, diagnosis and details of past visits to an emergency department or admissions to hospital for psychiatric care and treatment.
- Dates and details of times that the person has caused or attempted to cause harm to themselves or others.
- Dates and details of times that the person has attempted suicide or made comments about suicide.
- Dates and details of any threats the person has made while unwell.
- Any signs that they are unable to take care of themselves or are putting themselves at risk of harm because of their behaviour.
- Treatment they have been receiving for their mental health issues.
- Any missed medication or failure to follow-up with outpatient psychiatric care.
4. If the justice of the peace decides that there is enough information to meet the criteria for a Form 2, they may sign the Form 2.
- If they do, the Form 2 is valid for seven days including the day it is signed.
- If they do not, you can submit a new Form 2 when you have new information.
5. Once you have the signed Form 2, bring it to the police station that is closest to the person’s location (or last known location) as soon as you can.
Give the police officer:
- the signed Form 2
- your contact information
- a recent photograph of the person to help with recognizing them
Ask for:
- the case number
- a contact name
- a number for you to follow-up with police
- a copy of the Form 2 for your records
6. Police will execute the Form 2 by making efforts to locate the person, and if so, taking them to a hospital or doctor’s office for an assessment within seven days of the date the Form 2 was signed.
7. Once they are brought to a doctor, the examination will be conducted which will inform decisions about next steps.
If a doctor believes a person is a risk to themself or others (and other criteria in the Mental Health Act are met under Part A and Part B), they may issue a Form 1—Application by Physician for Psychiatric Assessment. If they do, it authorizes the hospital to detain the person for up to 72 hours while they receive a psychiatric assessment.
If a Form 1 is issued, the doctor will make decisions following the psychiatric assessment about appropriate next steps which could include:
- an inpatient admission.
- discharge from hospital.
- For more information, view the Form 1 information guide.
- If the doctor does not issue a Form 1, the person may:
- voluntarily admit themselves to inpatient care.
- leave the hospital if they wish, even if it is against medical advice.
Common questions about Form 2 steps
What if the justice of the peace does not sign your Form 2?
The justice of the peace will not sign your form if they decide that they do not have enough information to meet the legal criteria.
If you have more information to add to your application, you can make another request that a Form 2 be signed, based on the additional information.
You can also fill out a new Form 2 at a time that you have more information.
Can you seek a Form 2 if you don’t know where the person is?
Yes, you do not need to know the location of a person in order to request a Form 2.
On the form, provide:
- as much information as you can about the person’s last known location.
- location(s) the person is known to attend.
- where you think they might be.
Police can utilize this information in their search efforts.
If the police cannot find the person within seven days from the date the Form 2 is signed, the form expires. This means police will no longer be authorized to search for the person.
If you have new information that could help to locate the person, you may request a new Form 2.
What if you want the person to be seen at a specific hospital or a doctor’s office?
You can request that the police bring the person to a specific hospital or a doctor’s office, but police may not always be able to do this.
The location they bring the person to will depend on where they locate the person and the circumstances at the time.
A Form 2 directs police to take the person to “an appropriate place for examination by a physician,” which may or may not be your preferred place.
What if you need immediate help for the person?
If your family member needs help in an emergency or is in crisis:
- Support your family member in getting to the nearest emergency department.
- Call 911.
- Call or text the 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline if you are concerned that your family member is at risk of harming themselves.
What can you do to care for yourself?
Supporting a family member can be difficult. It can be helpful to take time to think about what you need to feel supported:
- Consider what activities help you cope with stress and how you can make time for those.
- Connect with family and friends.
- Be aware of your boundaries and set limits to make sure they are respected.
- Seek professional support if necessary.
Where can you find resources?
You might want to access support to help feel connected and know that you are not alone.
- You can visit our webpage: www.camh.ca/families
- Reach the Family Resource Centre:
- PFE@camh.ca or 416 535-8501 ext. 32028
View a CAMH Community Resource Sheet for family supports.
If you have questions or feedback about services at CAMH, contact the Patient and Family Experience (PFE) Office:
- 416 535-8501, ext. 32028
- pfe@camh.ca