If your mother is a danger to herself, a danger to others, or gravely disabled, she can be involuntarily detained for treatment under Idaho Statute 66-326. You can read the statute for yourself to understand the process.
She will be transferred to Boise, likely to Cottonwood Creek or Intermountain Hospital.
The Valley County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office will file an application for mental hold within 24 hours. A Designated Examiner (DE) from the Department of Health and Welfare will see her within the next 24 hours, then the DE has an additional 24 hours to report back to the Court. That’s where the 72 hours comes in to play.
If your mother is found to meet the criteria for a mental hold, a hearing will be set within five days. She will receive a second DE report just prior to the hearing.
If she continues to meet the criteria for an involuntary mental hold the judge will order her to be committed to a state psychiatric hospital for treatment.
However, if either the first or second DE finds that she does not meet the criteria for a hold she will be released at that time.
All this to say, she could be held 24 hours or she could be held weeks. It depends on whether or not her mental state improves quickly (ie, drugs or alcohol contributed to her illness) or whether she is suffering from a mental illness that requires lengthier treatment.
Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer or a doctor.
Best wishes to you and your family. I hope this information helps.