State laws largely regulate treatment for severe mental illnesses.  As a result, there is a varied patchwork of standards and quality of care across the U.S.  If you are in need of treatment or helping a family member or someone you care about receive treatment, it is important to familiarize yourself with the laws and standards in your state. 

Currently, 43 states provide for some form of assisted outpatient treatment.  However, in many states treatment options can be limited and not readily available.  Across the U.S. there is a trend to making assisted outpatient treatment and need for treatment standards more widely available than it was a decade ago.  Several states including New York, Illinois, Michigan, Louisiana, Idaho, and others have reformed their laws with the aim of getting people treatment before its too late.