RESEARCH: Outpatient Treatment Saves Money
(June 17, 2013) Outpatient treatment of mental illness reduces arrest rates and saves money was the conclusion of a study from researchers at North Carolina State University (“Treatment of Mental Illness Lowers Arrest Rates, Saves Money,” June 10).
“This study shows that providing mental health care is not only in the best interest of people with mental illness, but in the best interests of society,” said Dr. Sarah Desmarais, co-author of the paper and assistant professor of psychology at the university. “Our research shows that people receiving medication were significantly less likely to be arrested.” At the Treatment Advocacy Center we have always said that treatment works to save lives and money. For those too ill to seek treatment themselves, court-ordered outpatient treatment is a bridge to recovery. Assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) laws have been passed in 45 states. These states need to use their AOT laws so that people who aren’t well enough to choose treatment experience the same benefits as people who are able to choose it for themselves. To comment, visit our Facebook page. |
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The researchers studied 4,056 patients who had been hospitalized for severe mental illness during a seven-year period. The research team found that patients who received outpatient services after discharge were less likely to be arrested and cost the government $68,000 for treatment and services, whereas patients who did not receive outpatient services were more likely to be arrested and cost the government $95,000.
It doesn’t matter how many times I go through this experience or how recently I’ve reviewed the civil commitment laws and standards in her state. At the height of a crisis, fear and dread flush every last particle of memory from my mind and transform me into a terror-stricken, paralyzed mom.
Making the problem even worse, there appears to be considerable confusion among families, and even among some jail and prison officials, regarding the legal circumstances under which individuals with serious mental illness can be involuntarily treated in jails and prisons when they are psychotic and unaware of their own illness. 
Brooks is most identified with his role as the Oregon state mental hospital director who opened the hospital’s doors to film One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and appeared in the movie as the institution’s chief psychiatrist. Cuckoo's Nest was described in E. Fuller Torrey’s landmark book, 
The mass killing that occurred Friday spanned several parts of Santa Monica. The suspect has been identified as 23-year-old John Zawahri. Authorities say he killed his father and brother before carjacking a woman's vehicle and firing at a public bus and continuing his rampage.
