The Alaska Certificate of Need for Emergency / Involuntary Commitment (ACN) is an official document issued by the state of Alaska to authorize the involuntary commitment of a person to an inpatient mental health treatment facility. It is intended to ensure that individuals experiencing a mental health crisis receive timely and appropriate care. The ACN is issued by a court or magistrate, or by a licensed physician or psychologist. There are two types of ACN: Emergency Commitment and Involuntary Commitment. Emergency Commitment is a brief period of time, usually 72 hours, during which a person can be hospitalized for evaluation and treatment following an episode of mental health crisis. This type of commitment requires that a physician, psychologist, or qualified mental health professional certify that the individual is likely to cause serious harm to themselves or others if not hospitalized. Involuntary Commitment is a longer period of commitment following an Emergency Commitment, usually up to 30 days. This type of commitment requires a court hearing and a magistrate's order to authorize the commitment. In both cases, the ACN is used to ensure that individuals experiencing mental health crises receive the necessary treatment and care.