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In December 2015 the American Psychiatric Association (APA) Board of Trustees approved a position statement that directs ongoing advocacy efforts on involuntary outpatient commitment (IOC)/assisted outpatient treatment (AOT). The APA position is that IOC/AOT can be a useful intervention for patients with severe mental illness and documented histories of poor compliance leading to repeated relapses and rehospitalizations. It can be effective when accompanied by adequate resources and intensive, individualized outpatient services and when the initial commitment period is 180 days.