When is it time to overhall mental health system?

In an article in the Washington Post, December 14, 2007, Kaine to Overhaul Mental Health System, Virginia's governor is preparing to overhaul their state's mental health system. While Virginia has an "imminent danger," standard, it is similar to the level of dangerousness required in Pennsylvania, which is "clear and present danger." As stated in this article by Christopher Ryan, a psychiatrist at the University of Sydney in Australia, "It would be better if people with these illnesses could receive the treatment they need before dangerousness becomes an issue."

The problem that sometimes exists with mental illness is that of anosognosia, or lack of insight. As stated in the article, "When someone doe not realize that they have an illness that can be helped by treatment, they do sometimes fall into crisis situations, as they decompenstate to the level of dangerousness required by some states laws." What a tragedy for that person as well as for the family and friends who wait by helplessly, watching this slow decent to a level of "imminent" or "clear and present" danger.

"Family members of mentally ill patients and mental health workers said Virginia's standard is too strict and results in the denial of treatment for people who need it."

I would echo the same sentiment regarding the laws in Pennsylvania that make it impossible to get someone the timely treatment they need, to help prevent something too dangerous happening to that individual or someone else.

According to the Treatment Advocacy Center, eighteen states have revised their standards since 1999. Hopefully, Pennsylvania will be one of the next states to change their outdated Mental Health Procedures Act through SB 226.