Reply to What are you supposed to do when you encounter a mentally ill homeless person who seems to need help?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]According to disability rights advocates she’s making a lifestyle choice. As long as she’s not suicidal or homicidal she can’t be committed in most states. Most folks like this are kept in American jails. 10 times as many people with serious mental illness are in jails rather than hospitals today.

Realistically she’d be under court ordered treatment for whatever it is. It’s a huge human tragedy.[/quote]
I’m not sure how they argued someone not of sound mind is making a lifestyle choice.  Awful to hear. [/quote]

It really doesn't logically make sense but disability rights advocates I suppose fear that involuntary commitment will be worse. They reason some (or most) insane asylums were places where a lot of abuses happened so no one should be forced to take medication or be committed against their will. It is awful to see women in this condition who are so out of it they are probably being repeatedly sexually assaulted on the streets.

So the only thing the disability advocates lobby for is free housing no strings attached and voluntary out patient care. But if you are too mentally ill to realize you need care then how are you supposed to go seek care?

So the answer is you do nothing because nothing ends up being done if anyone actually responds. [/quote]
The answer here would be to improve mental health facilities and have strict regulations for them. Not allow people to rot on the streets because they’re too mentally ill to access any help. [/quote]

Strangely enough part of the issue is as someone mentioned disability rights. Under many circumstances those who are mentally ill can refuse help and you can only do forced help for limited time. That person could even have a family who did everything they could legally. [/quote]

There are an infinite actions between not caring and having a person put in a facility... you know, right?

If we cared we would have them under care, not a mental hospital, where someone helped people we are dysregulated and can't manage normal tasks.  We would check on them daily, help them with showers, make sure they take medication, make sure they ate. But that's expensive and not covered by health insurance. [/quote]

Once again they have rights and can refuse this. There are wealthy families that can afford to do this all out of pocket who still struggle. There are some services available depending on state (at least there were years ago), but again, you cannot force this. They can refuse to open the door when the social worker checks on them. Meds are tricky-you can remind someone to take meds, but you cannot administer unless you are a nurse and they can refuse.

This isn't about mental health professionals not doing their job or hospitals not doing their job. It's about the person refusing care or not being totallly compliant with all aspects of care.

Look into the history. Granting more rights meant we didn't have people locked away sometimes in institutions that are not well regulated. However, the homeless situation then exploded. There are cities that developed very humane programs to help the homeless. So more and more homeless people found a way to travel there. They are now inundated with homeless people they cannot help, many on drugs.

This is an incredibly complex issue. What can a person walking by do if they have the time and want to help and don't feel scared? Offer to buy a healthy nourishing lunch and bring it to them if they consent. If you see worn out shoes, provide a new pair. If you want to get more involved, call your local government and find out how. Donate to and volunteer at homeless shelters.

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