This book is on the rights of the mentally ill by lawyer and Associate Dean Elyn Saks, who herself suffers with
schizophrenia.
Saks feels that the psychiatric system in the United States vacillates between two extremes, completely ignoring those with mental health disorders, and over-treating them.
She feels that in most cases, patients should have the right to refuse medical care, in the form of drug therapy or other measures, if they choose to do so. Forcing medication on people is not a solution, in Saks' argument.
Saks has seen both sides of the issue herself, as she was extremely reluctant to take medication for her own condition, and all began taking it of her own volition in recent years.
She feels, though, that most everyone, with the exception of very extreme cases, should be allowed to choose whether or not they receive psychiatric treatment.
Elyn Saks, Mental Health Advocacy, Refusing Care
Force Treatment and the Rights of the Mentally Ill
Urie Bronfenbrenner's Bioecological Model of Mental Health
George Albee, Ph.D. - Social viewpoint of mental health disorders rather than medical model
Mental Health Treatment - A Closer Look at
Psychopharmacology - Let the Buyer Beware! by Louis Kirby, MA
Appeal to
Mental Health Professionals for professional non-pharmaceutical treatment options and clinical studies
NAMI -
Mental Health Disorder Recovery
The
Medical Model of mental health.
Psychiatric labeling and what can be done to prevent
stigma of mental illness
