A Review of Treatment Failures Presented in Committed: The Battle Over Involuntary Psychiatric Care

2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 139-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karin Tochkov ◽  
Nichole Williams
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Mentally Ill ◽  
Psychiatric Care ◽  
Legal Issues ◽  
Involuntary Commitment ◽  
Involuntary Hospitalization ◽  
Negative Experiences ◽  
Involuntary Care

Committed: The Battle Over Involuntary Psychiatric Care explores the complex battle over involuntary hospitalization for mental illness. This article aims to explore the flaws of involuntary commitment as the authors presented in their book and seeks to foster a discussion that will improve the lives of the mentally ill. This discussion includes the negative experiences of patients, some of the legal issues surrounding involuntary care, and some issues with the process of commitment that were presented in the book.

Involuntary Commitment as a Psychiatric Technology

1996 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 585-603 ◽  
Author(s):  
Virginia Aldigé Hiday
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Mentally Ill ◽  
Basic Needs ◽  
The State ◽  
Involuntary Commitment ◽  
Coercive Power

In the process of involuntary commitment,1the state makes available its coercive power for use as a psychiatric technology. This application of the state's power is based on the idea that mental illness can make a person not only sick but also unaware of the illness, and dangerous or unable to care for his/her basic needs; thus, coercion may have to be used to secure the mentally ill person's and/or the public's safety, and to give treatment until the illness abates.

Detention, Capacity, and Treatment in the Mentally Ill—Ethical and Legal Challenges

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (04) ◽  
pp. 752-758 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. PAUL CHIN
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Mentally Ill ◽  
Personal Autonomy ◽  
Involuntary Hospitalization ◽  
The Core ◽  
Appropriate Care ◽  
Legal Challenges

For individuals whose mental illness impair their ability to accept appropriate care—the depressed, acutely suicidal mother, or the psychotic lawyer too paranoid to eat any food—statutes exist to permit involuntary hospitalization, a temporary override of paternalistic benefice over personal autonomy. This exception to the primacy of personal autonomy at the core of bioethics has the aim of restoring the mental health of the temporarily incapacitated individual, and with it, their autonomy.

The future of services for the chronically mentally ill: a priority case?

1993 ◽  
Vol 17 (10) ◽  
pp. 582-585 ◽  
Author(s):  
Som D. Soni ◽  
Rafeek F. Mahmood ◽  
Anant Shah
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
National Health Service ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Royal College ◽  
Mentally Ill ◽  
Psychiatric Care ◽  
Economic Cost ◽  
High Quality ◽  
High Prevalence

Research into delivery of psychiatric care has shown that the chronic mentally ill (CMI) patients continue to pose major difficulties not only in terms of economic cost to patients, their families and the state but also in the ability of authorities to provide adequate facilities in the community. The latter is especially important now because of rapid discharge of patients into the community from long-stay wards of mental hospitals, often with little rehabilitative preparation and even less consideration of the effects of the environment into which they are relocated. Although follow-up in some cases has been of exceptionally high quality, a majority have filtered through the network into inadequate residence; this surely is unacceptable. The high prevalence of mental illness among the homeless and the difficulties of providing care for them by an inflexible health service have been highlighted by a recent report of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (Bhugra et al, 1991). This paper attempts to define the possible adverse consequences of the recent reorganisation of National Health Service (NHS) on the care of the chronic mentally ill.

The Gravely Inadequate Definition of a “Mentally Ill Person” in the Mental Health Act (New South Wales) 1983

1988 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Durham
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Severe Mental Illness ◽  
Mentally Ill ◽  
New South ◽  
Involuntary Hospitalization ◽  
Main Structure ◽  
Working Definition ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Definition Of

The definition, given in Section 5 of the new Act, of a “mentally ill person” is examined. It is argued that this “definition” is cumbersome, logically incoherent, and impractical. It is predicted that if given effect it will have very unwelcome consequences. Various sources of inherent misunderstanding and uncertainty are noted. Arguments are presented for allowing severe mental illness itself rather than its consequences to be the ground for involuntary hospitalization in certain circumstances. Various suggestions are proposed for the Section's amendment. These fall into two categories, depending upon alternative assumptions: (1) minor improvements, upon the pessimistic assumption that the main structure and content of the definition will be retained; (2) more radical amendment, involving the abandonment of the entire present structure of the section, and the adoption of a working definition of “mental illness” with clear safeguards against error and abuse. The nature and requirements of such a definition are discussed.

scholarly journals Autonomy and Capacity in Transitional Age Youth (TAY) with Serious Mental Illness: Challenges in Mental Health - A Case Report

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Timothy Van Deusen ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Serious Mental Illness ◽  
Psychiatric Inpatient ◽  
Care Patient ◽  
Legal Issues ◽  
Ethical Challenges ◽  
Involuntary Hospitalization ◽  
Transitional Age Youth ◽  
Difficult Time ◽  
Transitional Age

Objective: An admission to a medical or psychiatric inpatient unit is a difficult time during a Transitional Age Youth (TAY)’s life. While some patients recognize the need for their admission, severely ill patients lack insight into their illnessand require involuntary hospitalization, which may impactthe patient’s quality of care, patient-doctor relationship and raise legal and ethical questions to patient’s autonomy, capacity, and their wishes. Methods: Describe the legal and ethical challenges of TAY with serious mental illness and multiple physical illnesses; illustrated by a clinical case. Results: TAYis affected by legal issues involved with treatment in this population, including a patient’s right to refuse treatment, involuntary commitment versus court-ordered treatment, advance directives, health care proxies, and confidentiality. Conclusions: It is critical to recognize the ethical and legal issues encountered by TAY with serious mental illness. Understanding these matters will improvethe provider’s care and enhance their ability to advocate for patients’ rights.

The use of Involuntary Commitment and Videotape in the Psychiatric Treatment of an Incarcerated Offender: A Case Study

1980 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-30
Author(s):  
Dixie Moore
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Legal History ◽  
Psychiatric Treatment ◽  
Involuntary Commitment ◽  
Involuntary Treatment ◽  
Involuntary Hospitalization ◽  
Videotape Interview ◽  
History Of ◽  
Clinical Problems

The psychiatric and legal history of a prisoner is reviewed. Ethical, legal and clinical problems related to his mental illness including his refusal to accept a not guilty by reason of insanity defense, his dual role as prisoner and patient, and his subsequent involuntary hospitalization are discussed. Use of a videotape interview as an adjunct procedure in his involuntary treatment is described and recommended.

scholarly journals Service innovations: a service for the homeless with mental illness in Aberdeen

2001 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 137-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angie Wood ◽  
Paul Sclare ◽  
John Love
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Mentally Ill ◽  
Psychiatric Care ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Working Relationships ◽  
Mental Health Team ◽  
Homeless Mentally Ill ◽  
Dedicated Service

Aims and MethodTo evaluate the first 3 years of a newly developed service for the homeless mentally ill in Aberdeen. All 86 referrals to the service between 1996 and 1999 were reviewed.ResultsThe majority of referrals came from social care staff and self-referrals.Half were diagnosed as having severe and enduring mental illness and of these one-quarter (11 cases) were engaged in long-term psychiatric care. A total of 744 in-patient days were required, only one admission was a compulsory detention.Clinical ImplicationsIt has proven possible to identify and engage with a number of homeless individuals who have untreated serious mental illness by setting up a small dedicated service that has close links with an established adult mental health team and which establishes close working relationships with colleagues in social care settings.

The Entry of Mentally Disordered People to the Criminal Justice System

1996 ◽  
Vol 169 (2) ◽  
pp. 172-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graham Robertson ◽  
Richard Pearson ◽  
Robert Gibb
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Criminal Justice System ◽  
Mentally Ill ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Psychiatric Care ◽  
Mentally Disordered ◽  
Police Station ◽  
Court Liaison ◽  
Do So

BackgroundThe police are the gatekeepers to the criminal justice system (CJS). It is agreed that where possible mentally ill people should be diverted to psychiatric care. The purpose of this investigation was to determine what factors were associated with the entry of obviously mentally ill people into the CJS.MethodThe population of all detainees arrested in seven London police stations was observed to determine the presence of obvious mental illness. All detainees regarded as ill or known to have significant psychiatric histories were followed through the CJS to court disposal. Defendants diagnosed as psychotic by court liaison psychiatrists were identified and the circumstances of their arrest and detention examined.ResultsOf all police detainees observed, 1.4% were found to be acutely ill. Diversion of obviously ill detainees was common practice. The factor most strongly associated with entry to the CJS was the presence of violence at time of arrest. Other factors were the persistence of (petty) offending and the operation of court warrants issued as a result of the person's failure to appear at court when required to do so.ConclusionsBoth police and courts are well aware of the inappropriateness of custody for acutely ill people and efforts are made to divert such people out of the CJS. Persistent petty offenders are often being recycled from the street to police station to court and back to the street without the benefit of care. A dedicated facility is recommended in central London to meet this need.

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