Forced Treatment for the Mentally Ill

[margot]

Against the vivid backdrop of recent killings by mentally ill people, both sides in the national debate over whether mentally ill people who have not committed a crime can be forced into treatment are preparing for a showdown in the Legislature here.

Across the country, proponents have pushed the laws as a pragmatic approach to the mentally ill who fall through the cracks of the mental health system, particularly those who have committed no crime but could harm themselves or others as their sickness worsens. These mentally ill people often do not need to be in a hospital, but do need to stick to treatment, which could include medication, therapy or both...

From the NYT ( http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/08/national/08mental.html )

This is a dangerous, dangerous road. The main targets seem to be people with schizophrenia and bipolar, but it won't stop there.

[Samurai Drifter]

A dangerous road, yes, but the concept is a good one.

[Gundampilotspaz]

Mental illness can only be taken care of it the party is willing.

This is not a good thing. Just because there are a few dangerous people out there doesn't mean everyone with the same illness is going to do the same thing. People are different, no matter how their mind works.

[margot]

Mental illness doesn't cause a person to murder...

This sort of thing just creates more ignorance.

This is just a harmful infringement on person freedom.

[Gundampilotspaz]

Mental illness doesn't cause a person to murder...

Thats what I said, People are different. One person with Bipolar kills someone doesn't mean they'll all do it. If one person without Bipolar kills someone you aren't going to have everyone evaluated to see if they are stable to live in society. HUGE violation of human rights.

[Samurai Drifter]

Mental illness doesn't cause a person to murder...

It depends. There are certainly some mental problems that can cause a person to become violent. To say otherwise is just plain ignorant.

Mental illness is just that - an illness, and should be treated no differently from a physical one. It should be cured.

...though I guess we don't really have laws that force people with medical problems to get treatment. Still, I'm in favor of this concept.

[Gundampilotspaz]

They would have to be proven, without a second guess, to be a danger to themselves and others. I don't see the majority of people with schizophrenia and bipolar falling under that. But they will be targeted, nonetheless.

[margot]

There are already laws that if you pose a serious risk to yourself or others that you can be forced into IP (inpatient treatment at a hospital)...

Otherwise mentally ill persons should be forced into treatment. They're still people, and most of the time ratonal, functioning people.

[darkon]

Forcing people into treatment only works if once in treatment the person actually tries to get better. Whether through whatever method instituted. The problem with forcing people into treatment is that it is a HORRIBLE idea as anyone remotely close to the mental health field (of which my father is a part of) will tell you. Most everyone they see these days has been brought in by someone else, not many come in on their own will. Now you're thinking this is fine right? And it is. The problem is that it runs into a major problem when given to the government since the government since the dawn of time has proved itself utterly incompetent to properly define ANYTHING.

[Belial]

Well since every human on this planet is capable of murder then they should all be fucking imprisioned!!!11!

Thought crime, thought crime, thought crime, thought crime, thought crime, thought crime, thought crime, thought crime!!!!!!!!

[Pamuya]

as someone with bipolar disorder i can say that yes the illness can drive a person to do bad things. but of course not everyone will.

stupid stupid idea, what the hell. this could actually make people worse by forcing them.

[Poophy]

Under this law the government could “imprison” some one who has done nothing wrong. Yes, I would like people who are a danger to then selves or others to be removed from society, but I wont support any legislation that can send innocent people to jail. Mentally ill or not, they are still people and they shouldn’t be forced to do anything against there own will just for having the “potential” to commit a crime.

[rockerluke]

If the person has not committed a crime, but has violent thoughts or delusions which, due to the nature of certain mental illnesses, may manifest themselves in reality, then I think they should be treated.

Otherwise, it's individual choice. If you're not likely to commit violent acts due to your mental illness (most people with mental illnesses are not dangerous), then you should be left alone.

The point I'm trying to make is, that if a mentally ill person starts yelling that that they're going to murder someone, then they need treatment. There needs to be reasonable doubt for the safety of the public before they start getting forcibly treated.

Very well explained.

[margot]

Well, I believe that anyone who starts yelling at they're going to murder someone needs to be dealt with in some manner.

[margot]

The point I'm trying to make is, that if a mentally ill person starts yelling that that they're going to murder someone, then they need treatment. There needs to be reasonable doubt for the safety of the public before they start getting forcibly treated.

this already happens..

[margot]

They're forced into institutions.

This even happens to severely emaciated anorexics..