The safety of consumers and professionals should be a paramount organizing principle underlying all system reform efforts and is the first real step towards the elimination of forced treatment. We ask Mrs. Gore to share this vision with us. Force is not the way to deal with people with psychiatric disabilities. It sabotages the potential of recovery for people with psychiatric disabilities. The consequence of forced treatment is that people avoid the very services they need to survive.
Coercion frequently results in violence and abuse to people who are receiving services.
Outpatient commitment is a false solution to a complex public policy issue, and it simply will not work. What makes a difference is the scope, flexibility, responsiveness and coordination of community based psychiatric treatment and rehabilitation services. These services have not been funded in the community to any level compatible to the need. We urge Mrs. Gore to support expanded funding for community services that address the problems of the whole person and, particularly, self-help programs. The underlying philosophy of peer support is that the best helpers are those who have experienced similar problems.