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Involuntary commitment is the practice of using legal means or forms as part of a mental health law to commit a person to a mental hospital, insane asylum or psychiatric ward against their will or over their protests. Many but not all countries have mental health laws governing involuntary commitment. Some, such as the United States, require a court hearing if the subject of the more or less brief initial commitment (approved by a doctor, psychologist or psychiatrist) protests, though in some cases this initial hearing must be immediate; while others allow involuntary commitment at the request of physicians who must follow set legal procedures. In the latter case there are then additional checks and sometimes hearings to ensure compliance with the law. It may also sometimes be possible to challenge the commitment through habeas corpus.