Mental illness is such a tough issue, and the more I've learned the more I recognize that often there just isn't a single correct choice or solution. So very sad.
The one change I do advocate is changing the law to get back to a better balance when it comes to deciding whether to institutionalize a person. As I understand it, unless they verbalize or write a specific threat against a person, it is nearly impossible to institutionalize them against their will before they actually act on it.
I once read a book - "This Stranger My Son" in which a mother was raising a child with severe mental problems. As he grew older, he got violent against her and the family. She could find no options for help for extended time - especially when he reached 18. All his life she was faced with his illness causing him to be denied access to schools but with no options for handling him.
So very sad and very revealing about the inefficiencies of our mental health agencies.
Sometimes the ill one just has no place for help.