Laws in many states block people with severe mental illnesses from receiving the treatment they need to live a healthy life.  Major reform is needed to bring these laws into the 21st Century. 

Current laws fail to protect people with the most severe mental illnesses from becoming homeless, ending up in jail, committing suicide, and being victimized by others.  Too many preventable tragedies happened on our streets, in our homes, in libraries, subway stations and other public places.  Sweeping reform is needed.

As the consequences of laws that block treatment mount, a new wave of reform is under way in many states. States are moving toward new standards that allow for more timely and effective treatment to be offered before tragedy strikes.  Reason is being restored so that the standard is based on an individual’s need for treatment.

An important reform is encouraging the use of assisted outpatient treatment.  This is a proven way to prevent repeated hospitalizations and other consequences of non-treatment.  When appropriate, assisted outpatient treatment fosters compliance in the community through a court-ordered treatment plan. Not only does the court commit the patient to the treatment system, it also commits the treatment system to the patient.

Progressive assisted treatment laws need to reflect the significant advances that have been made in the last two decades in our understanding and ability to treat severe mental illnesses. Severe mental illnesses are treatable biological brain diseases and not lifestyle choices, as was the prevailing thought four decades ago. Research shows that at least 40 percent of those diagnosed with schizophrenia and manic-depressive illness lack insight into their illness because of a biologically based symptom known as anosognosia. They often refuse treatment, yet treatment can make all the difference in the world.