Should Severely Mentally Ill People Be Institutionalized?

 

Recently I saw a Facebook status from a friend who said that severely mentally ill people should be institutionalized to keep them safe from themselves and others. When I first read that it initially made me angry but I was not sure why until I thought about it some more. I think someone who would make this claim does not really know the implications of what they are saying, but I do not think they know anyone who suffers from an actual clinical mental illness. Chances are they are most likely basing their opinion off certain news stories that seem from the mainstream media but have never even spoken to someone with a mental illness. In this blog, I shall discuss exactly what is wrong with this view and then I will offer a logical solution for those who are severely mentally ill. However, before I do that I would like to say that I am not against this person nor do I think he is an evil man. From what I can tell he is a brother in Christ. He just holds to a very harmful and ignorant view concerning mental illness. Now, when it comes to this view, I can see two horrible implications. They are the following: 

1) It Perpetuates A Harmful Stigma Against Mental Illness  

2) It Dehumanizes The Mentally Ill

I will elaborate on these two points but I would like to say that if you can think of any more harmful implications this view may have please let me know in the comments below. I fully realize that this is a controversial subject and that many people do hold to the belief that the severely mentally ill should be institutionalized. I think most who hold to this view do so out of fear. These people see certain news stories and they think that the world would be a much better place if the mentally ill were locked away. It is my hope that after reading this blog many minds will be changed. Now, time to talk about my points. 

It Perpetuates A Harmful Stigma Against Mental Illness 

It is a common misconception amongst the general public that the severely mentally ill are a danger to society. Everyone has seen news articles of someone shooting up a school and then the journalist concludes that he or she must have been mentally ill. This sort of rhetoric only fuels fear in people. The reality is that most people with mental illness are not violent at all. But do not take my word for it instead listen to what MentalHealth.gov says, 

"Most people with mental illness are not violent and only 3%–5% of violent acts can be attributed to individuals living with a serious mental illness" 

As a matter of fact, people with mental illness are actually ten times more likely to become victims of violent crime than they are to become perpetrators of violent crime. So, my question to you is who should we be more concerned about when it comes to the safety of people in society? The fact is when we stigmatize the mentally ill it only serves to alienate us from society and it treats us like second-class citizens. 

It Dehumanizes The Mentally Ill 

The reason that I say this is because this view treats those of us with mental illness as if we are mere animals who deserve to be locked up instead of being free. The fact is as long as those of us with mental illness are not committing crimes then we do not need to be locked away in cages. We are human beings who deserve to be treated with the same respect as anyone else in society.  The word of God tells us that all people are made in His image and thus have inherent dignity and worth. If we read Genesis 1:27, we see,  

"So God created man in his own image,

in the image of God, he created him;

male and female, he created them"

This truth applies to the mentally ill as well as those who do not have a mental illness. God does not distinguish between the two nor does He show partiality. Those of us who deal with mental illness have just as much value as anyone else in society and the Body of Christ. We should not be treated as second-class citizens or criminals because of our infirmity. Finally, those who have mental illness and who get locked away in institutions tend to be mistreated by the staff. This happens more than you think. 

Now, you are most likely wondering what solution I am offering since apparently, institutionalization is not the answer. Obviously, it is not a good idea to allow the severely mentally ill to just roam the streets. The only logical solution for the severely mentally ill, who have not committed any crimes, is for them to be in a mental health group home. There are many benefits to mental health group homes. For one, they will definitely have a safe shelter to live in where their physical needs will be taken care of. Also, the staff is trained mental health professionals who will make sure they take their medications and take them to all their medical appointments.  Most of these staff will be more caring than the staff in an institution too. Finally, although they will have to follow rules, they will still have the freedom to live their lives as human beings with inherent value and dignity who are made in the Imago Dei. 

I hope that this blog has helped you better understand this controversial subject and I pray that if you are someone who holds to this belief that you will reconsider your position after reading this. Thank you for taking the time to read this blog and may the grace of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ richly bless you all! Soli Deo Gloria! 

-David Lee Chu Sarchet 
Christian Mental Health Advocate 

Check out the Christ-Centered Mental Health Ministry Website

Check out the other Christ-Centered Mental Health Ministry Website