Are the Rights of People with Mental Illness Still Important?

Abstract

This survey measured the attitudes of clinical social workers toward the rights of psychiatric patients who are involuntarily committed to institutions. The questions covered five content areas: involuntary commitment, environment and daily living, right to treatment, right to refuse treatment, and presumption of legal incompetence. Although the majority of respondents supported patients' rights, a minority demonstrated restrictive attitudes and an unawareness of existing laws regarding patients' rights. Controversial issues, such as the right to refuse treatment, evoked the least support.