Thoughts on mental illness & involuntary commitment

[IronMom]

I am a freelance writer for a regional crime mag and currently doing research for a story about how jucicial system (incl. cops) feel about dealing with mentally ill people. I have interviewed folks in the mental health system that are strong advocates for not forcing medications on people, support tough restrictions on civil commitment, etc. in the name of rights protection. IMO, it seems when have gone from one extreme of cruel institutionalization to a free for all...I beleive there is a happy medium to be achieved...I am learning more about crisis intervention, jail diversion, mental health court, re-integration of parolees with mental illness, etc. and all that his happening to bridge the gap between law enforcement and mental health services. I know that a good number of people with emntal illness are incarcerated as well. I know that MH is trying to address some of these issues...is it working? What say you about the practicality, availabilty, and actual postive impact of these efforts? I need an unhindered perspective from an actual cop on these types of call. DO you feel that the criteria governing involuntary committment needs to be less restrictive than threat of harm to self/others? I wonder if the involuntary commitment of Jared Loughner might have saved 6 people? Thanks so much for your insights and feedback!

[Switchback]

I am all for mandatory commitments and mandatory medicating of individuals when the behavior of these individuals directly affects the welfare of others that may come in contact with them.

Anything less than that is for social workers that is not in my job description,

[Buffboy]

I am all for mandatory commitments and mandatory medicating of individuals when the behavior of these individuals directly affects the welfare of others that may come in contact with them.

Anything less than that is for social workers that is not in my job description,

+1 well said.

[IronMom]

...anyone have any experiences in the line of duty with someone in a mental health crisis in which someone from a mental health crisis team proved a crucial asset in diffusing a tense situation? Any thoughts on jail diversion or mental health court?

[Switchback]

The people to which you refer (those on a health crisis team) are rarely on site to provide the necessary assistance when it is needed. Most of us don't work in hospitals, but on the street.

[IronMom]

I really appreciate you feedback but I seem to gather the feeling that a cops focus is to enforce the law, restore order, and use the necessary means to accomplish both...not really practical or realistic to expect for some crisis person to show up at the moment of response...I get that. THoughts on jail diversion? Do you see more mentally ill offenders now than in years past? Do your "street experiences" lead you to beleive that there are a good number of mentally ill folks in the cracks of mental health services that pose a public safety concern? Do you have an opinion on the idea that mental health services are inadequate, despite their efforts?

[Outshined]

Ahhh what???

[Switchback]

I think that it is foolish to think that you can fix some of the wrongs of today. It is not those with "marginal" functioning problems that occupy us. Most that require our attention are beyond chatting it out over a pill to make it all better.

With that said, you need to understand that we care a lot less about the underlying reason of why than the WHAT. THAT is not how the system functions. We often deal with the results of mental illness but the street is no place to deal with such things... it is the hospital or the jail.

Now, you are portraying yourself as someone in the field with some level of knowledge. However, anyone with even the most rudimentary knowledge would know these things. It would be like asking a plumber about the geological water table behavior when he is there to take care of a leak. It makes no sense.

[IronMom]

Geesh...take it easy on me. I am simply wanting to give a fair appraisal between the "feel good" commentary I have gotten about the good that is being done and the reality of what a first responder will see when they arrive on scene...simple question-do mentally ill people pose a public safety concern opposed to years past "IN YOUR OPINON AS A COP ON THE STREET"?

[Switchback]

Uh... duh.


As I said, most anyone in the LE field or the mental health field would know that a great deal of those that violate the laws have mental health issues. It is not about being hard on you, Ms. ThinSkin... it is about the obvious. Furthermore, were you were in the field, my abrasiveness is nothing compared to what you would be subjected to by your clients.

I am just stating the obvious to someone who SHOULD know already. Jeesh.

[IronMom]

Sorry to know that you are so incredibly bitter and that you derive some elevated sense of self when you exercise, no less behind a computer screen, your indignant arrogance. It is disheartening to know that are people like you with a badge.

[IronMom]

"Furthermore, were you were in the field, my abrasiveness is nothing compared to what you would be subjected to by your clients." Where'd you get I was in the field? And you have the nerve to rebuke me?

[Switchback]

I am sitting here at my keyboard, crying, knowing that you feel that way. I think I will call a counselor to help me muddle through my senseless life now. :(

You still don't get it. If you were half as bright as you claim to be, you would understand my puzzlement in someone who is writing a book on a topic hasn't even the most fundamental knowledge on the topic. While I claim to have no specialized knowledge in mental health, the fact that criminals have an extremely high rate of mental illness is something you could pull out of Time magazine at the library. Come on! Try not to be so condescending when my 6th grade son could pull better facts than you!

[IronMom]

not writing a book dude...don't know where you got that either. You should probably look up the definition of condescending...what a lucky boy your son is. I am going to go pout and feel sorry for myself since I am such a failure and not nearly as bright and insightful as you.

[Switchback]

Freelance writer. Sorry. I guess I should be impressed. Maybe I would be if I had not been published several times myself. Regardless, don't get so but hurt because I did not kiss your a$$, answering questions that equate to asking what color the sky is.

I am sure you are VERRRRRY successful, as there are a ton of award-winning authors hitting up the police forums for help. It's not like there are forums for writers or mental health.

...and nice intro in the new member section. Oh, wait... the world renown writer has reading comprehension issues with board rules.

In my best Carlos Mencia, "Deee de deeeeeee".