| comment |
Involuntary commitment1 laws usually contain two components, first that the person in question be diagnosed with a 'mental illness', 2 and second that they either: (a) pose a danger to themselves or others, (b) are in need of treatment, or (c) cannot see to their basic necessities of life. Involuntary commitment laws are said to serve three social functions: protection of society ('police power'), looking after the patient's 'own good' (parens patriae), and meeting people's basic needs (,custodial confinement') (Stromberg and Stone 1983: 279-80).
|
