.  I think you're thinking about this the wrong way. If the doctors think he should stay further...and he is mentally ill, and has a history of self-destructive behaviour (ending treatment, avoiding treatment).... uh, maybe you should tell him that he should trust the doctors, since he is in NO position to make decisions for himself.  It's not like they gain anything by keeping him there, it's in his best interest. It doesn't matter if he can get away and avoid capture or not - the decision to flee is exactly why he should stay on. That's just his illness making him make bad decisions all over again. I don't know why mental illness often causes these kinds of thoughts but I've seen it happen. Schizophrenic patients deciding they do not need treatment anymore and stopping it. Several times. Even though after each relapse they have much worse symptoms and are generaly miserable and a danger to themselves. But time and time again they decide they know better then the doctors.  I think you're thinking about this the wrong way. If the doctors think he should stay further...and he is mentally ill, and has a history of self-destructive behaviour (ending treatment, avoiding treatment).... uh, maybe you should tell him that he should trust the doctors, since he is in NO position to make decisions for himself.  It's not like they gain anything by keeping him there, it's in his best interest. It doesn't matter if he can get away and avoid capture or not - the decision to flee is exactly why he should stay on. That's just his illness making him make bad decisions all over again. I don't know why mental illness often causes these kinds of thoughts but I've seen it happen. Schizophrenic patients deciding they do not need treatment anymore and stopping it. Several times. Even though after each relapse they have much worse symptoms and are generaly miserable and a danger to themselves. But time and time again they decide they know better then the doctors.  I'm no legal beagle either, but I'm pretty sure the hospital DOES gain something by keeping him there if they feel it's at minimum "medically necessary" all in the context of your good post. Namely, it would seem they gain liability protection if he were to leave and then like harm or kill himself or others.  I think you're thinking about this the wrong way. If the doctors think he should stay further...and he is mentally ill, and has a history of self-destructive behaviour (ending treatment, avoiding treatment).... uh, maybe you should tell him that he should trust the doctors, since he is in NO position to make decisions for himself.  It's not like they gain anything by keeping him there, it's in his best interest. It doesn't matter if he can get away and avoid capture or not - the decision to flee is exactly why he should stay on. That's just his illness making him make bad decisions all over again. I don't know why mental illness often causes these kinds of thoughts but I've seen it happen. Schizophrenic patients deciding they do not need treatment anymore and stopping it. Several times. Even though after each relapse they have much worse symptoms and are generaly miserable and a danger to themselves. But time and time again they decide they know better then the doctors.  I'm no legal beagle either, but I'm pretty sure the hospital DOES gain something by keeping him there if they feel it's at minimum "medically necessary" all in the context of your good post. Namely, it would seem they gain liability protection if he were to leave and then like harm or kill himself or others.  