>>And, who will be “the decider” of who is not “right”.<<
There is a diagnostic book called the DSM. I think it is up to the “DSM-V” these days.
That book decides. One looks at a patient’s symptoms and the book guides you throught to a diagnosis. Certain diagnosis are “committed”. Plain and simple.
When you have a group home next door to you and people yelling at your kids and urinating in your driveway, then come and talk to me about the “very slippery slope”. We are at the bottom right now. Patients who need constant care are set adrift in the world because they have no where to go. Group homes are great if you can find them but institutions protect the patient who doesn’t want to take meds and the society who is put in danger by them.
I worked too long in Psych to listen to the “rights of the patient” argument. That hasn’t worked in the last 20 years.
Ya know maybeI`m so out of touch that I`m hopeless, but you want to decide who needs to be locked up by A BOOK?? You say you have 20 years experience, but have you ever LIVED with anyone with mental issues?? I have. Book experience is one thing but, living experience is another. If you truely want to understand this issue, leave the books behind, reach out with your heart.