And while there are many ways to treat these conditions and get help, Dr Fidel Cuellar spoke at the ceremony today about why they have chosen to opt out of institutionalization as a form of treatment in their new policy.
Fidel Cuellar, Deputy Director, Public Health and Wellness
"You see, just because you have a mental health condition doesn't give the physician the right to hold you down, tie you to a bed and to force medication on you. It does not give the police the right to put you into handcuffs and drag you to the emergency room to receive that type of medication. You have the right to choose your treatment and to be a part of the management of your care. This needs to be legislated. We also need to define provisions for voluntary and involuntary admissions and this is controversial because do you force admissions that is where we need everyone to come to the table and discuss under what conditions should it happen. The law needs to afford the same rights as everyone and we should be able to treat everyone with respect and dignity."
Notably - even as anecdotal evidence of a widening mental public health crisis appears upon us - the number of cases of mental illness recorded in the system annually continues on a 5 year downward trend. Experts say these cases are likely not being picked up in the system.
