this must be so heartbreaking for you!!! omg, bless your heart. I'm not sure if this varies state to state but i know in TX the person has to agree to you becoming POA before becoming incapacitated. If it's afterwards, the paper doesn't mean anything b/c they weren't in their right mind to give POA. i'm not sure what you need/want POA for though. i think it's good for everyone to have it - especially mentally/physically disabled people. but having POA doesn't mean you can put her back in a psych ward, b/c they can't force her to stay if she doesn't wanna stay, perhaps if you had guardianship...but i'm not even sure on that either. now regarding the 72 hours discharge, you & your dad need to talk to the social worker or social worker supervisor first thing in the a.m. & tell them THIS IS NOT A SAFE DISCHARGE. the standard stay here is 72 hours, but typically if they went as far as your mom did in trying to commit suicide, then dang, she should either be staying longer to get stabilized or have a different discharge plan other than coming home to a family that works FT. emphasize to the social worker that her coming home will NOT be a safe discharge plan b/c there will be no one there for supervision & you are very sure she will try this again. it is THEIR responsibility to ensure a safe discharge. nobody can stop your mom from trying this again, but her being released to a supervised location can at least curtail any future attempts while she tries to get better. i CANNOT imagine how you must feel sweetie. i'm so sorry you're going through this. try to stay strong for you & your dad. you're doing a good job by even asking around. i'll say a prayer for you & your family right now....good luck.. :)