Quick Guide to important ways Federal Government can help the most seriously mentally ill
The most seriously mentally ill (SMI), unlike people with less severe “mental health issues” often hallucinate, are delusional, psychotic, and can’t think straight (cognitive impairment). Some need periodic hospital care, a small group will never recover, and some as a result of hallucinations, delusions, cognitive impairments and anosognosia, are unwilling or unable to stay in treatment on their own even when available and offered to them. Pretending these issues don’t exist is causing massive homelessness and incarceration of the seriously ill, yet federal legislation always tends to focus on higher functioning, and/or less important issues like trying to identify the asymptomatic, fighting stigma, etc. Following are specific policies (excluding investing in hospitals and housing) that would help persons with the most serious mental illnesses.