It’s inhumane NOT to move ahead with involuntary commitment of the worst-off mentally ill

New York City Mayor Eric Adams recently addressed the severe mental illness crisis plaguing the city’s streets in a detailed article. He emphasized the importance of both safety and the feeling of safety for all New Yorkers, especially in light of random attacks committed by individuals in need of help.

Mayor Adams highlighted the progress made in providing lasting help to those with severe mental illness and changing the culture around tools such as involuntary commitments. He noted that a majority of New Yorkers support expanding involuntary commitment as a means to address the crisis.

Addressing common criticisms, Mayor Adams clarified that investing in a continuum of care is not mutually exclusive with involuntary treatment. His administration has been actively working to make investments in mental health care, including affordable housing, clubhouses, and mobile treatment teams. A $650 million investment in tackling homelessness and severe mental illness has also been made to provide supportive environments for patients.

Responding to concerns about the inhumanity of involuntary treatment, Mayor Adams argued that it is a compassionate intervention when deemed necessary by clinical professionals. He stressed the importance of providing immediate medical care to individuals in acute psychosis and highlighted the potential for amazing recoveries with the right resources and support.

Mayor Adams also addressed the misconception that a person must be an imminent danger to justify involuntary action. He emphasized the need to provide care to individuals who are unable to meet their basic needs due to untreated mental illness, even if they are not presenting an obvious emergency.

In conclusion, Mayor Adams called for explicit reforms to ensure individuals receive psychiatric care when their mental illness prevents them from meeting basic needs. He highlighted the importance of this work and expressed gratitude for Governor Hochul’s support in advocating for these reforms in the state budget negotiations.

The rewritten content seamlessly integrates Mayor Adams’ key points and arguments into a new article that captures the essence of his original message.