Analysis
Lack of support groups in communities The lack of support groups in communities leave persons with mental illnesses no choice but to resort to a life of crime. Despite increased public awareness about mental illness the past few years, we have yet to make changes at the community level that will allow persons with mental illnesses to flourish properly and avoid criminal behaviours or tendencies. Deinstitutionalization has been a huge complication for neighbourhoods in which there is an increased number of persons with mental illnesses. The idea that closing down mental rehabilitation institutions in order to increase their freedom and offer them an alternative that is not as restrictive on their personal independence as mental asylums …show more content…
Police officers will often give out warnings for crimes to regular citizens, and charge persons with mental illnesses for any offences - even if they are minor because they believe it is insignificant to caution someone who is unlikely to comprehend or heed to their warnings (Freeman and Roesch, 1989). One major issue is that society has abandoned persons with mental illness. Police officers are often a last resource available to them. Family, friends, the community, and doctors all give up leaving them no choice but to roam around the streets causing problems, and likely ending up in a jail cell. When placed in a environment where discretion is needed when it comes to persons with mental illness, police officers have three options: transport the person to a facility, de-escalate the situation using verbal communication, or arrest them. The sheer lack of options officers have lead to conditions where people get hurt, due to scenarios where situations spiral uncontrollably to a point where death or injury is used as a last ditch effort (Tuckler, Hasselt, and Russel 2008, 236-250). Better and more standardized operating procedures on behalf of police agencies can help lead to less injury and incarceration for both persons with mental illness and those who are …show more content…
There is a higher need for outreach groups that will enable doctors to make the first move and treat those who are refusing to seek treatment. When we have a medical problem, it is our responsibility to go to the doctor and receive treatment and get informed about our options. This idea is not as transparent for persons with mental illness, as in some cases they believe that there is no problem at all and do not believe they have a mental illness. Those who often most need treatment are the same people who often refuse to seek out, or take advantage of treatment that is offered to them. The negative relationship between caregivers and persons with mental illnesses began in the 1960s, where forced treatment was commonly used in Canada and around the world. This often brought a life of agony for people seeking treatment as they were subjected to inhumane conditions. The freedom to make choices of your own is thought to be taken away when you accept treatment (Tracy, 2015). We need to find a way to bring doctors to those who need the help. If that means more funding needs to be allocated to the front-line, our police officers, who are the first on scene and can help direct persons with mental illness to psychiatric help, then it should be given. Ultimately the biggest problem is the unwillingness from society and medical professionals to recognize
Lack of support groups in communities The lack of support groups in communities leave persons with mental illnesses no choice but to resort to a life of crime. Despite increased public awareness about mental illness the past few years, we have yet to make changes at the community level that will allow persons with mental illnesses to flourish properly and avoid criminal behaviours or tendencies. Deinstitutionalization has been a huge complication for neighbourhoods in which there is an increased number of persons with mental illnesses. The idea that closing down mental rehabilitation institutions in order to increase their freedom and offer them an alternative that is not as restrictive on their personal independence as mental asylums …show more content…
Police officers will often give out warnings for crimes to regular citizens, and charge persons with mental illnesses for any offences - even if they are minor because they believe it is insignificant to caution someone who is unlikely to comprehend or heed to their warnings (Freeman and Roesch, 1989). One major issue is that society has abandoned persons with mental illness. Police officers are often a last resource available to them. Family, friends, the community, and doctors all give up leaving them no choice but to roam around the streets causing problems, and likely ending up in a jail cell. When placed in a environment where discretion is needed when it comes to persons with mental illness, police officers have three options: transport the person to a facility, de-escalate the situation using verbal communication, or arrest them. The sheer lack of options officers have lead to conditions where people get hurt, due to scenarios where situations spiral uncontrollably to a point where death or injury is used as a last ditch effort (Tuckler, Hasselt, and Russel 2008, 236-250). Better and more standardized operating procedures on behalf of police agencies can help lead to less injury and incarceration for both persons with mental illness and those who are …show more content…
There is a higher need for outreach groups that will enable doctors to make the first move and treat those who are refusing to seek treatment. When we have a medical problem, it is our responsibility to go to the doctor and receive treatment and get informed about our options. This idea is not as transparent for persons with mental illness, as in some cases they believe that there is no problem at all and do not believe they have a mental illness. Those who often most need treatment are the same people who often refuse to seek out, or take advantage of treatment that is offered to them. The negative relationship between caregivers and persons with mental illnesses began in the 1960s, where forced treatment was commonly used in Canada and around the world. This often brought a life of agony for people seeking treatment as they were subjected to inhumane conditions. The freedom to make choices of your own is thought to be taken away when you accept treatment (Tracy, 2015). We need to find a way to bring doctors to those who need the help. If that means more funding needs to be allocated to the front-line, our police officers, who are the first on scene and can help direct persons with mental illness to psychiatric help, then it should be given. Ultimately the biggest problem is the unwillingness from society and medical professionals to recognize