Arizona Congresswoman Shot in the Head at Public Event

tater · 01-11-11, 11:12 AM

There are day centers, and assisted living as well here in the US. My brother was in a "group home" with other patients, and a care giver living as housemates. Still, they can easily forget or decide not to take their meds. This is a common occurrence.

My point is that even with a patient like this guy (clearly the very rare dangerous variety) getting mental health care, he is still an adult, citizen (unless institutionalized against his will), and would be at risk.

BTW, where is the guy's family? My brother got the care he got because my family was proactive and took a role in his care. His family must have known there was something seriously wrong with him. They have a responsibility, too. Again, the usual suspects will complain about budget cuts, etc, but the reality is that for care to work when it is not mandatory (which would require a court-order in the US), the patient has to decide to seek care. The trouble with mental illness is that the worst off patients are the least likely to seek care. Those with more minor disease are going to be the ones well enough to recognize that they actually need care. It's a catch-22 (literally).

01-11-11, 11:12 AM	#11
tater Navy Seal Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: New Mexico, USA Posts: 9,023 Downloads: 8 Uploads: 2	There are day centers, and assisted living as well here in the US. My brother was in a "group home" with other patients, and a care giver living as housemates. Still, they can easily forget or decide not to take their meds. This is a common occurrence. My point is that even with a patient like this guy (clearly the very rare dangerous variety) getting mental health care, he is still an adult, citizen (unless institutionalized against his will), and would be at risk. BTW, where is the guy's family? My brother got the care he got because my family was proactive and took a role in his care. His family must have known there was something seriously wrong with him. They have a responsibility, too. Again, the usual suspects will complain about budget cuts, etc, but the reality is that for care to work when it is not mandatory (which would require a court-order in the US), the patient has to decide to seek care. The trouble with mental illness is that the worst off patients are the least likely to seek care. Those with more minor disease are going to be the ones well enough to recognize that they actually need care. It's a catch-22 (literally).