Cops And The Mentally Ill: Who Will Protect Us While In Crisis????
By Rozie37
@Rozie37 (15499)
Turkmenistan
July 31, 2008 8:45pm CST
It is very easy to abuse, manipulate, neglect, and otherwise do harm to a mentally ill person. Even when we are "High Functioning," it is sometimes still easy to mistreat us. Especially, when there is no one on your side who believes in you. I believe that most policemen do their best to try to help us. But there are some who have no patience for the likes of a person who can have a hard time communicating the simpliest matter. What can we do to ensure that we are treated with as much care as the next person?
http://www.newsweek.com/id/149630/page/1
3 people like this
4 responses
@Vladilyich1 (1454)
• Canada
2 Aug 08
Cops globally are currently on a major power trip. If they abuse you and you protest, they will arrest you and jail you, and probably lose the paperwork for several months.
You really have no recourse.
2 people like this
@danishcanadian (28953)
• Canada
2 Aug 08
Well, I seemed to get past a certain cop in AZ one day. I woudln't let him get away with it.
1 person likes this
@Rozie37 (15499)
• Turkmenistan
2 Aug 08
Well, I live in Los Angeles County. I believe that the best thing to do is to steer clear of the police as much as possible. I know that it can be frightening to ask them for help or deal with them in any way. Especially, when you have a mental illness.
@GardenGerty (157545)
• United States
1 Aug 08
I work with a population of adult mentally handicapped or mentally ill persons. I serve some of both. I also work with physically handicapped. I know that the mentally ill persons have the same rights as everyone else. They also have the right to not take medication. Unfortunately they do not always have advocates to help them when they are making bad choices. I know that I work in a jewel of a program. Yet it has its faults and flaws. The police need more education, more training, and they need to be ready to accept the training that is available. It is also expensive. The police come from the general population, and the general population is also often ignorant and confused by the mentally ill.
2 people like this
@danishcanadian (28953)
• Canada
1 Aug 08
I had a bit of a nasty dealing with a cop in Arizona. I managed to remain calm and get the situation dealt with (it was't my problem, I was just a passeger in the car!!!). That was a MEAN friggen cop. A 911 dispatcher I talked to once regarding a diferent insedent wasn't much better. I have Aspergers, which is like a very high functioning Autism.
1 person likes this
@Rozie37 (15499)
• Turkmenistan
1 Aug 08
I have an emotional disorder and it is very difficult for me to express myself when I am upset. So for I have been blessed to not have any negative run-ins with police and I do not expect it to ever happen. But for others, it seems like the police can be their worst enemy. But their jobs should be to protect and serve.
@faith210 (11224)
• Philippines
1 Aug 08
Hi Rozie37! That is really very difficult for anyone who is mentally ill to be heard and believed most of the time. I do think that it is best if there are hidden cameras in nursing homes so that the staff will be monitored on how they treat the mentally ill. However, if they will be outside the homes I am not really sure on how they will be protected. I just hope then that people will be more caring and sensitive to them.
Take care always...God Bless!
1 person likes this
