Final answer:
A court or judicial entity must order involuntary commitment after a legal hearing where the individual's need for further treatment is assessed.
Step-by-step explanation:
At the end of an emergency short-term hospitalization, if an individual either declines voluntary treatment or is deemed to require further treatment for their own safety or the safety of others, a legal process for involuntary commitment may begin.
The commitment to a mental health facility must be ordered by a court or a judicial entity.
The specifics of this process can vary by jurisdiction, but generally, it involves a petition to the court, followed by a legal hearing where evidence is presented.
It is at this hearing that a judge will decide whether the individual should be committed involarily for treatment.
It's a legal safeguard to ensure that the rights of the individual are respected, and it involves various professionals including doctors, social services, and legal representatives.