Hello Everyone,
For your third Writing Journal assignment, please read the following article: “Compassion Compulsion and the Mentally Ill" by E. Fuller Torrey, Wall Street Journal. (Eastern Edition). New York, N.Y.: Jun 9, 2008. p. A.17
- From Falvey Library's homepage (on the left side), choose "Databases A-Z."
- Then choose "ABI/INFORM Global (ProQuest)."
- Next, click on the "Publications" tab.
- Choose Wall Street Journal: Eastern Edition.
- Write the article’s title or author in the “Search for articles . . .” data field, and perform your search.
You’re welcome to respond to the article however you wish. I do encourage you, though, to consider the following:
Do you think the ideas discussed in the article need to be treated as a homelessness issue, a mental health issue, or something else? Why?
Consider the arguments both for and against keeping people with severe mental illnesses confined to institutions. Which arguments do you find to be persuasive? Why? Which arguments are weak? Why?
Suppose the medical community determines that a person must take medication, otherwise he may become a danger to himself and others. What can or should be done if he refuses? Do such patients have a right to refuse treatment?
Please include the following information as a heading on your work:
Your name
Eng1050 – 20
Writing Journal Assignment #3
Please post your Writing Journal response to this article (200 - 250 words) by Thursday, October 1, 2009.
Have a good day.
Mr. Dierkes
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Garrison Nord
ReplyDeleteEnglish 1050-20
Writing Assignment #3
It think that the topics discussed in the article should be viewed solely as a public safety issue. It terrifies and appalls me that people with uncontrolled mental illness can live with the general population. It isn't that i am not accepting of people's differences it is merely that people who are not going to pay taxes or contribute to society in anyway are allowed to live freely. I am not saying that all mentally ill people are killers but it appears that they contribute to a disproportionate number of homicides, at least in the study conducted in Indiana. I feel that my rights to pursue happiness can be infringed upon by mentally ill people who could possibly do me harm without even realizing it. People who think well outside the boundaries of law and reason are a threat to my human rights and many of the people around them. Despite their own rights, they unknowingly impose on the rights of others which is where the basis for the entire justice system comes from. I think that these patients have a right to refuse treatment unless a certain minimum number of doctors examines them and determines that treatment is the appropriate action. I can put myself in the position of a mental patient who may not be crazy but is misdiagnosed and it makes me think about One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Being trapped in a mental institution having been wrongfully medicated is a terrifying thought.
Lauren Pasquale
ReplyDeleteEnglish 1050
Response #3
The ideas addressed by the author in this article can be viewed as a mental health and safety issue. Not only are these individuals a hazard to others, they are a hazard to themselves as well. This is evident in the alarming homicide and suicide rates for the mentally ill. I don't think that these issues can be considered "homelessness" issues because these people have options other than state hospitals for a place to live. As far as keeping the mentally ill instituionalized, it appears to be beneficial to the community and to the individual mentally ill patients. They are taken out of a situation where they could potentially harm themselves or others. Additionally, they would idealy receive the appropriate care for whatever their mental illness may be. That being said, mental institutions have not always had the greatest reputation. It is not easy to commit someone to a place where you are not sure that they will be taken care of. In today's world, I think that it can be safely assumed that the mentally ill in institutions are being well cared for. I do not think that all mentally ill people can be confined to an instituion simply because there is always the possibility that they could cause some sort of harm to someone. Not all mentally ill patients are inclined to violence, therefore, they should not all be treated the same way. In regards to medications for the mentally ill, I firmly believe that it is an individual's choice whether or not they will take medication, however, in severe cases the person may not be able to comprehend the importance of taking the medication. It seems as though "mental medications" are viewed differently than medications for physical illnesses such as diabetes, however, I really think that they are the same. A mental illness is a result of some sort of chemical and/or physical imbalance in the body just as diabetes relates to an imbalance in the body. People self-administer insulin shots in order to contain their diabetes symptoms so why should a mentally ill person not take medication to contain their symptoms? I think that if medications were explained in this fashion patients may be more inclined to at least trying a medication. I think it is important to carefully consider all options for treatment when dealing with a mentally ill patient-- each case should be individualized.