Room for Debate: Can Therapists Prevent Violence?

Loosen Restrictions for Therapists to Report Danger

Sally Satel, American Enterprise Institute

All states should mandate clinicians to tell officials and relatives if a patient may be a danger, even if there is no clear victim.

More Treatment, and Openness With Parents

D.J. Jaffe, Mental Illness Policy.Org

Parents should know what has been diagnosed and what drugs have been prescribed to make sure treatment isn't ignored.

Act Fast on Mental Health Concerns

Kevin Nadal, John Jay College of Criminal Justice

Police officers need better training to deal with people with mental illness and could also deploy mobile crisis units of mental health professionals when concerns arise.

Laws Need to Be Updated

Steve Leifman, judge, Miami-Dade County Court Criminal Division

Our most important mental health laws are based on legal foundations from the 1700s, which considered dangerousness, but not need for treatment – because no treatment existed at the time.

Speak Up More on Red Flags

E. Fuller Torrey, Treatment Advocacy Center

Mental health professionals are, as a group, politically liberal and strong defenders of civil liberties, so initiating an action that is likely to curtail a person's civil liberties is contrary to their mindset.

Communicate With Police Officers

Tom Dart, Cook County Illinois Sheriff

There needs to be greater communication and partnership between law enforcement officials and mental health providers to protect the most seriously mentally ill from hurting themselves or others.