The System is Broken

Serious mental illness, or SMI is a cruel and debilitating illness that can, and does strike down strike down thousands of men and women in the prime of their life.  Anyone who has taken on the responsibility of caring for another who is experiencing this illness knows too well the difficulties faced with getting them the help they need.  Our legal and healthcare system will not help you.

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These illnesses (psychoses like schizophrenia and severe bi-polar disorder) can be controlled with appropriate medications and therapies, however, a symptom of the disease itself causes the afflicted to be unaware that they have become sick.  In most cases, they refuse treatments. 

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So what are your options if your loved one refuses treatment?

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1. You can take them to the emergency room at your local hospital.  If they feel your loved one is in distress, they will hold them for observation, generally between 1-24 hours.  At that point, they will release them back into the community with a recommendation to visit a psychiatrist.  STRIKE 1 This is of no value.  As mentioned above, the sick person does not have insight into his/her illness and will refuse further treatment.

2. You can call the police and report that your loved one is in distress.  The police will make a visit to your home and assess the situation.  If your loved one is not in danger of hurting his/herself, or someone else, they have no power or authority to take any action. They will tell your loved one to accept treatment and leave the premises.  STRIKE 2 

3. You can go to the court and petition for your loved one to be taken involuntarily for evaluation.  If your petition meets the high bar necessary (dangerousness to themselves or others), then the police will be dispatched and take your loved one to the local emergency room for treatment (See #1 above).  STRIKE 3​

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Now you are out of options, and since our legal system and constitution protects the civil liberties of our citizens above all else (even if they are unwell), all you can do is wait for something bad to happen to either your loved one, yourself, or perhaps a total stranger.

This is no way to operate a civil society and action must be taken to change this system!

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The System is Broken!

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