Involuntary Commitment In Mental Health Essay
Abstract
Health professionals treating mentally ill patients often attempt to commit patients to psychiatric hospitals. When the patient will not agree, the doctor may consider involuntary commitment. This is generally considered at the insistence of the family. In recent decades, the United States Supreme Court has limited the circumstances where a person can be committed to a mental hospital against their will. Despite these rulings, the civil rights remain under attack. The public bodies often perceive those who suffer from a mental instability as a danger to society and want them separate from the community (Wahl, 1995, p. 1). Throughout this paper, I will detail the current system that governs involuntary commitment. I will also discuss the history and significance of that policy, and the key issues surrounding that policy. I will finally discuss the steps that are required to protect the civil rights of the mentally ill.
The Mentally Ill and their Civil Rights
The system that governs involuntary commitment has its origin in the judiciary system. The U.S. Supreme Court began reshaping the mental health laws during the 1960s, during the civil rights revolution, which conferred equal rights under the law to the American people. Though not a regular …show more content…
As it stands now, 28 states have laws requiring insurers to pay for psychiatric treatment. However, many sufferers of mental illness lose their jobs, and the states provide no safety net to catch those people. Insurance coverage also is exceedingly limited, such as 20 visits to a therapist and no drug coverage (Morain & Marquis, p. A22). Many people want treatment but cannot afford it. Why not spread that cost around to everyone? Each person will have to pay a little more, but they will have psychiatric treatment if necessary. They also will benefit from a society that will be healthier as a
Health professionals treating mentally ill patients often attempt to commit patients to psychiatric hospitals. When the patient will not agree, the doctor may consider involuntary commitment. This is generally considered at the insistence of the family. In recent decades, the United States Supreme Court has limited the circumstances where a person can be committed to a mental hospital against their will. Despite these rulings, the civil rights remain under attack. The public bodies often perceive those who suffer from a mental instability as a danger to society and want them separate from the community (Wahl, 1995, p. 1). Throughout this paper, I will detail the current system that governs involuntary commitment. I will also discuss the history and significance of that policy, and the key issues surrounding that policy. I will finally discuss the steps that are required to protect the civil rights of the mentally ill.
The Mentally Ill and their Civil Rights
The system that governs involuntary commitment has its origin in the judiciary system. The U.S. Supreme Court began reshaping the mental health laws during the 1960s, during the civil rights revolution, which conferred equal rights under the law to the American people. Though not a regular …show more content…
As it stands now, 28 states have laws requiring insurers to pay for psychiatric treatment. However, many sufferers of mental illness lose their jobs, and the states provide no safety net to catch those people. Insurance coverage also is exceedingly limited, such as 20 visits to a therapist and no drug coverage (Morain & Marquis, p. A22). Many people want treatment but cannot afford it. Why not spread that cost around to everyone? Each person will have to pay a little more, but they will have psychiatric treatment if necessary. They also will benefit from a society that will be healthier as a