This is the thought that I have when I look at discussions about access to healthcare. If we don't pay for healthcare for the seriously mentally ill, we end up paying in the criminal justice system. The article that I am discussing makes exactly that point. Here is the link to the article: http://bit.ly/1dGr6PI. Here are the points that I consider especially important. First of all, it is very clear that the 'crimes' we are talking about are not always the violent or more serious ones. But the costs are serious. It is delusional to believe that if you don't pay for healthcare, there is no cost. We pay for space in jail. We pay for the police. And the courts. We pay through the impact on victims when there is victimization involved. Proof for this can be found in the large numbers of the mentally ill in our jails. So, how do we save money with our fragmented and inadequate attention to mental health care? It is clear to me that we don't.
Now, the other obvious point is that ignoring the healthcare needs of our most vulnerable citizens is a moral issue. It isn't simply about cost. It is also about the morality of pushing people into the criminal justice system because we don't choose to deal with what we know. We have considerable knowledge about how to treat mental illness. And medicine, therapy, and case management hold considerable progress as treatment tools. They can change lives. But for those in poverty, they are most likely out of reach. What is the responsibility of society to provide that access? Obviously, there is much debate about that. But in practical terms, we end up paying through criminal justice costs. Maybe it is time we look at the bigger picture when we decide how to spend our resources.
What is the best way to make sure that our mental health safety net helps keep our vulnerable citizens functional and productive? I would be willing to bet most of us would agree that jailing them isn't the best way. Let the discussion and debate begin. Let me know what you think!
Now, the other obvious point is that ignoring the healthcare needs of our most vulnerable citizens is a moral issue. It isn't simply about cost. It is also about the morality of pushing people into the criminal justice system because we don't choose to deal with what we know. We have considerable knowledge about how to treat mental illness. And medicine, therapy, and case management hold considerable progress as treatment tools. They can change lives. But for those in poverty, they are most likely out of reach. What is the responsibility of society to provide that access? Obviously, there is much debate about that. But in practical terms, we end up paying through criminal justice costs. Maybe it is time we look at the bigger picture when we decide how to spend our resources.
What is the best way to make sure that our mental health safety net helps keep our vulnerable citizens functional and productive? I would be willing to bet most of us would agree that jailing them isn't the best way. Let the discussion and debate begin. Let me know what you think!
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