I don’t deny your son’s or any other person’s mental illness, necessarily. I don’t have a solution, either, I just struggle with the following hurdles:
1. If we give people with mental health a pass for violent behavior, then many people will certainly feign mental illness to get a pass. Psychiatrists can be fooled or can be in cahoots for any number of reasons.
2. I base my support of the death penalty and etc. on the Bible, and the Bible does not give exceptions for mental illness. Nor a procedure for diagnosing it.
This does not mean the Bible doesn’t ALLOW me to consider it, just that, there are no clear directions for me there that I am aware of. If the truly crazy are not to be held responsible for murder etc., then it seems to me the Bible would make allowances for that.
3. “Harmless” schizophrenics are sort of a myth, to me. The fact is, they do not have a hold on reality. They can stay harmless all their lives or break at any time. How can that be predicted? “This person who has no hold on reality has not been predatory for five years, thus we foresee he will never be predatory.” There is no way of predicting that.
4. But to involuntarily incarcerate schizophrenics and similar if they have not committed a crime, even in a gentler institution than a prison, still, involuntarily incarcerated, does not seem just and presumes they will commit crimes, when I understand the majority do not.
I have no answers here. Just question. Would be interested in other FReepers’ thoughts.
2. I support the death penalty also, but the law can and should consider the mental competence of someone. "Faking" mental illness isn't as easy as you think. For one thing, a person who is mentally ill usually has a history of the illness. Not saying it is not something that people don't try, but it's not as easy as as you might think.
3. Education about mental illness is key - I understand your assumptions, but they are not based in fact, but rather on the stereotypes that have permeated popular culture. I have first hand experience, thus know what I'm talking about. Your attitude is common in society and is why I'm "coming out" about my son - there is just too much ignorance and misinformation about mental illness out there. That is just a fact. Opinions are formed based on the stereotypes and misinformation out there. Most people who suffer Mental illness are not dangerous or the "Norman Bates" character that we see in the movies.
4. Involuntary commitment isn't done without a court order. The judge has to be convinced that the person experiencing the psychotic break could be a danger to themselves or to others (in my son's case, it was a danger of suicide). If someone is committed, as my son was, it is not a punishment, it is done because the person needs medical help (remember, mental illness is REAL biological illness) but the court determines that the person is not competent to make the choice to get the help needed. The same thing is often done, for example, with people with Alzheimer's.
5. I appreciate your thoughts and opinions, but unless you have walked in my shoes, it's really difficult to fully understand just how difficult dealing with these illnesses can be.