General Discussion

JJChambers

(1,115 posts) Sun May 25, 2014, 01:08 PM May 2014

We need to have a discussion about a difficult topic: What to do with the mentally ill [View all]

Our system right now isn't working. There aren't adequate facilities for the mentally ill to seek treatment and there are no safeguards to ensure that those who need medication take the medication. We see it time after time: a mentally ill person commits a violent crime and is sent to the state hospital for a short period of time, just long enough for the doctors there to medicate the person, document a positive response to the medication, and then that person is released. Once released, there are no safeguards to ensure that person sticks to the prescribed medication. Often there is a violent outburst / arrest / medicate / release / fall off medication / repeat cycle.

Of course we will not be able to detect or identify every mentally ill spree killer before they strike. But we need a way to ensure that people like Rodger Elliot are not a danger to society once it becomes apparent that they're suffering from dangerous mental illness. The police contacted Elliot several times. He very publicly posted his disturbing messages. His parents warned law enforcement and mental health professionals to attempt to get resolution.

The system failed because it is designed to fail.

What do we do? Should bring back the insane asylum, albeit a modern, more humanitarian version, designed to protect the wellbeing of those committed and prevent their abuse?

108 replies

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We need to have a discussion about a difficult topic: What to do with the mentally ill [View all] JJChambers May 2014 OP

It is a conversation society needs to have. Agschmid May 2014 #1

We first have to recognize who is mentally ill and who is not. Does weird behavior alone make one kelliekat44 May 2014 #75

Nope the definition alone is somewhat hard to understand... Agschmid May 2014 #76

Well mental illness doesn't cause violence phil89 May 2014 #2

When a mentally ill person is exhibiting signs of homicidal rage or intentions.. JJChambers May 2014 #4

Yeah because that's worked well in the past. karadax May 2014 #26

And in typical human fashion once the institutions start making money off of their inmates the jwirr May 2014 #46

So your belief is that the mental illness causes the person phil89 May 2014 #45

Why not do the same with sane people who are exhibiting signs of homicidal rage or Jamastiene May 2014 #77

+1 nomorenomore08 May 2014 #90

Step one: do something about the deluge of guns. nt. Warren Stupidity May 2014 #3

No, that isn't a step. JJChambers May 2014 #5

Thanks for the NRA talking point that is easily disproved... joeybee12 May 2014 #40

I agree with that poster. dead is dead. It is a nuanced and complicated problem Mojorabbit May 2014 #108

Guns are a different issue davidn3600 May 2014 #28

The primary problem with mass shootings is guns. Warren Stupidity May 2014 #62

And the gun problem can be dealt with independently davidn3600 May 2014 #71

Not if we get deliberately distracted by peripheral issues. Warren Stupidity May 2014 #82

No one is disputing that davidn3600 May 2014 #86

The primary problem creating killings of all kinds Jackpine Radical May 2014 #88

Getting rid of mentally ill people is not going to get rid of gun violence. Jamastiene May 2014 #79

The focus on mental illness as a problem... Spider Jerusalem May 2014 #6

Really? So the availability of guns has exactly what to do with the stabbing spree he went on? JJChambers May 2014 #7

It's also pretty clearly a gun issue. Spider Jerusalem May 2014 #8

What do they all have in common? Mental illness JJChambers May 2014 #10

And easily obtained guns. Spider Jerusalem May 2014 #15

So the problem is with guns JJChambers May 2014 #17

If he hadn't engaged in a drive-by shooting? You might have some sort of point. Spider Jerusalem May 2014 #20

If he hadn't stabbed three people to death? You might have some sort of point. JJChambers May 2014 #32

You're really funny. Spider Jerusalem May 2014 #35

What is homicidal mental illness? phil89 May 2014 #19

Mental illness is a very common scapegoat. Neoma May 2014 #48

Well said. Louisiana1976 May 2014 #59

+2 nomorenomore08 May 2014 #92

In this case the intent is to stigmatize etherealtruth May 2014 #94

I want to ask you a question then. Neoma May 2014 #96

It wouldn't stop stabbing deaths treestar May 2014 #11

Why not address the root cause: mental illness JJChambers May 2014 #14

That too treestar May 2014 #39

Mental illness is NOT the cause of all violent acts. Neoma May 2014 #50

It disgusts me, too. Louisiana1976 May 2014 #64

+1000 DeadLetterOffice May 2014 #89

Mental illness has never been shown to be the root cause of violence. phil89 May 2014 #65

You can consider it misguided, if you wish, but how is it "despicable"? nomorenomore08 May 2014 #91

I have a brother with schizophrenia, fuck you for trying to call mental illness the problem Bjorn Against May 2014 #101

+1 n/t NealK May 2014 #106

There's both a mental health issue AND a gun issue frazzled May 2014 #22

THIS X 10000000. I am tired of this either/ or thinking. bettyellen May 2014 #25

Certainly we as a scoiety need to deal with mental illness, I don't think anyone denies that etherealtruth May 2014 #9

I'm sure the victims he stabbed to death take comfort in knowing JJChambers May 2014 #12

Your statement makes no sense whatsoever ...? etherealtruth May 2014 #24

Thank you. n/t Jamastiene May 2014 #80

NRA TALKING POINT!! LAGC May 2014 #13

I think some good steps - educate 1st responders & model effective responses to psych disorders; pinto May 2014 #16

we sure do need that discussion KT2000 May 2014 #18

thank you. bettyellen May 2014 #29

We need to have a discussion about seething misogyny, racism, and access to firearms YoungDemCA May 2014 #21

Also in propping up the Republican Party's vote share. Spider Jerusalem May 2014 #23

Look at other countries Rosa Luxemburg May 2014 #27

How about keeping them away from guns? KamaAina May 2014 #30

It is important to note that mentally ill people are more likely to be killed, KitSileya May 2014 #31

we've made great strides in insurance coverage for mental health fizzgig May 2014 #36

+1 million Louisiana1976 May 2014 #67

It is a problem that desperately needs to be addressed. Until that time, regulate the guns. morningfog May 2014 #33

what to do WITH us? fizzgig May 2014 #34

Mental health must be treated as seriously as physical health LittleBlue May 2014 #37

Except that the mentally ill are only as violent as people who are not mentally ill. Neoma May 2014 #38

Any mods going to lock this? Guns are off-topic here at GD I've been told... joeybee12 May 2014 #41

Please don't make it about that, I beg you. I wish no one had guns, but agree this is an important bettyellen May 2014 #49

It's focused on for all the wrong reasons though. Neoma May 2014 #52

that doesn't really matter why, since there is a mental health crises in our country. bettyellen May 2014 #54

It's a problem, but focusing on it because apparently all of the mentally ill are violent... Neoma May 2014 #55

Ignoring it encourages families to "go in the closet", instead of getting help too. And too many bettyellen May 2014 #56

I'm not saying do nothing about it! Neoma May 2014 #58

I understand, but also will not apologize about posting as to my own experiences or share my bettyellen May 2014 #63

Sorry, it is about guns...if it had been posted Tuesday you'd have a point... joeybee12 May 2014 #57

I think if you post Tuesday or Sunday it doesn't matter. I hate the NRA and can set it aside for a bettyellen May 2014 #60

I agree the discussion needs to be made... joeybee12 May 2014 #61

Yeah, I am ignoring that knife BS. Same old same old. bettyellen May 2014 #68

Happens all the time here after a senseless tragedy... joeybee12 May 2014 #69

I hear you. It is disppointing to see the NRA BS here for sure. bettyellen May 2014 #70

Are you serious? JJChambers May 2014 #84

Thank you Wayne LaPierre...thanks for revealing yourself.. joeybee12 May 2014 #95

That's what I thought JJChambers May 2014 #99

Actually, I would prefer banning guns and knives than locking up innocent non-violent people. Neoma May 2014 #103

When there is Yet Another Gun Outrage the gd hosts allow people to post about it in gd. Warren Stupidity May 2014 #87

That you, Wayne? moondust May 2014 #42

Welcome to the world Blue_Roses May 2014 #43

Disarming them would be a good first step. Tierra_y_Libertad May 2014 #44

An inhumane society run by oligarchs, woo me with science May 2014 #47

You seem to be the expert. Mentally ill people upaloopa May 2014 #51

Hear, hear! Neoma May 2014 #53

this is a sad, sad and ignorant op. cali May 2014 #66

So what do you suggest we do? JJChambers May 2014 #85

Take him to the hospital like anyone else in that situation. Neoma May 2014 #97

threats are against the law. In my eyes, he should have been arrested. cali May 2014 #105

A few examples of people "committing violent crimes" and then being set free are in order here. thucythucy May 2014 #72

You aren't going to do a goddamn thing with me. Jamastiene May 2014 #73

+100. Neoma May 2014 #74

Every day here in San Francisco...... RandySF May 2014 #78

Another talking point. bravenak May 2014 #81

+1 YoungDemCA May 2014 #83

+2 nomorenomore08 May 2014 #93

+1000! nt adirondacker May 2014 #104

The mentally ill are not the problem steve2470 May 2014 #98

Most violent crimes are committed by people who are not mentally ill Bjorn Against May 2014 #100

But what we must absolutely never do Crunchy Frog May 2014 #102

what we shouldn't do is make Rodgers a celebrity ecstatic May 2014 #107