Enforcing people into involuntary treatment is a very emotional and controversial subject. There are many who believe that if someone is forced into treatment against their will their human rights are being violated. Then there are those who believe that forcing people into treatment is promoting their human rights. Personally I am for involuntary treatment. I believe that if a person is severely ill, do not believe that they are ill, and refuse treatment they do not have the right to suffer. If someone is not able to perceive that they are ill, does not understand the treatment being proposed, and the benefits of the proposed treatment they still have the right to receive that treatment despite their state of mind. Mentally ill people have the right to be well, live lives of meaning and purpose, and become productive members of society. It is not right for people to suffer because they don't understand their condition and have the so called right to refuse treatment.
According to an article called "Treatment Act Divides Mental Health Advocates," written by Holly Gordon, published on Nova News Net, on November 4th, 2005, a man by the name of Hugh Bennett who at the time was the Executive Director of the Schizophrenia Society of Nova Scotia is an advocate of the Involuntary Psychiatric Act which is now law in Nova Scotia.
Bennett's brother suffered from schizophrenia for many years. His brother had no awareness of his identity and and his condition. As a result of this he experienced much suffering because he refused treatment. At that time a person could only be treated against their will if they were a danger to themselves or others. Therefore if a person is severely ill and experiencing much pain and suffering they have the right to suffer because they pose no immediate danger to themselves or others.
Another article called, "Treatment Denied Equals Civil Liberties Denied," written by Richard L. O'Reilly, MB, FRCPC, Department of Psychiatry, University of Western Ontario. and John E. Gray, PHD, Past President, Schizophrenia Society of Canada, published on the Canadian Psychiatric Association web site, is also for involuntary treatment for those who desperately need it.
This article, written in October 2008, states that, in Ontario, people can be held in detention for many years, often in seclusion, without receiving any treatment for their condition. Only after severe deterioration was treatment started. If they were treated sooner then they would be able to be discharged from their detention and live in freedom in the community.
An example given, is that a person named Paul Conway has been detained in Ontario hospitals for 25 years without receiving treatment despite the fact that his condition could be greatly improved with anti-psychotic medication.
The point being made in this article is that, if a person is held in detention indefinitely without receiving treatment they are being denied their rights to freedom and liberty.
Mentally ill people have rights. They have the right to receive treatment and the right to be well, be happy, have meaning and purpose in life, and be productive members of society.
References
Holly Gordon, Treatment Act Divides Mental Health Advocates.Novo News Net.
Retrieved 3 January 2011 From The World Wide Web
http://older.kingsjournalism.com/nnn/nova_news_3588_6825.html
Richard L. O'Reilly, MB, FRCPC, and John E. Gray, PHD.Treatment Denied Equals Civil Liberties Denied. Canadian Psychiatric Association
Retrieved 3 January 2011 From The World Wide Web
http://publications.cpa-apc.org/browse/documents/408
