First of all, I must address the issue of violence and mental illness. Despite the stereotype, the vast majority of people with mental illnesses are not violent, as confirmed by a recent study by the MacArthur Foundation. In fact, individuals are more likely to be victims than perpetrators of violence. Unfortunately, television programming continues to rely on this outdated stereotype to create drama and increase ratings. Secondly, we have concerns about your treatment of inpatient psychiatric care.
Hospitalization is a very complex issue.
While many have benefited from hospitalization, many others also have powerful stories of abuse and mistreatment in that setting. As an organization, we believe that individuals with severe mental illnesses who are not in crisis can be best served in the community. As you can tell, the portrayal of people with mental illness in the media is a major concern for us. Undoubtedly, your concept has great potential to educate Americans about places and people too often hidden. There is much the American viewing public needs to know about the gross neglect of individuals with mental illnesses and the vastly under funded mental health care system.