Did Anyone Else See "God Knows Where I Am" On PBS Monday Night?

[charlygal]

Originally Posted by tmozer

Having negotiated the mental health system in NJ with my spouse's issues, it failed her like it did the women in the film. My wife is stable due to my care and support but far from cured.

Perhaps there is no "cure". However for a short time she was taking three medications that seemed to alleviate all her symptoms. However she decided to stop taking them and there was nothing I could do about it.

How was any of this a failure of the system? Did you want the system to force your wife to take medication? We should eliminate the rights of the mentally ill? Do you know the history of abuse of the mentally ill or of those perceived to be mentally ill?

[old fed]

Originally Posted by charlygal

How was any of this a failure of the system? Did you want the system to force your wife to take medication? We should eliminate the rights of the mentally ill? Do you know the history of abuse of the mentally ill or of those perceived to be mentally ill?

sometimes the system will force medication. but in the instance i was involved with another person had to lose their life before that happened. it took several hospitalizations and a death to get to that point. the death was totally accidental and no charges were ever filed. court ordered medications were also continued and required as a condition of eventual release from a state hospital and continued until that person also died, about 20 years later, which was about 5 years ago.

[Delahanty]

Originally Posted by charlygal

How was any of this a failure of the system? Did you want the system to force your wife to take medication? We should eliminate the rights of the mentally ill? Do you know the history of abuse of the mentally ill or of those perceived to be mentally ill?

This is another good point because it's that history of abuse which, in part, led to elimination of involuntary commitment in this country. (Andrea Yates, the criminally insane, etc....I'm not referring to them.) Someone with, say, psychosis, who's refused to be medicated --as an adult--presents a challenging situation. Provided they're not a danger to themselves or others, they have a right to self-determination. Even if the disease precludes making what professionals consider to be the right decision.

The film was followed by a roundtable discussion of some of these issues.

[Gatopescado]

Great film, well made and interesting. Didn't enjoy the roundtable, however. And what was with that lady's earrings?