Abstract
Over time, society has taken different views regarding the legal treatment of the mentally ill, ranging from justifiable paternalism (Plum, 1987, p. 512), which promotes the rights of the community, to advocacy for the rights of the individual. Schlesinger (1986) identified 30-year cycles in the American mood and priority shifts in social programs. There are intervals of idealism and public action instigating much change and innovation followed by a period of digestion. Public energy recedes and the public problems may be turned over to private interest where they are managed by private corporations. The public view of the mentally ill is influenced by the resources available, the visibility of the problem, the moral trends, and the knowledge base of mental health professionals. New ideas are currently emerging that, if adopted by society in general, could have a profound effect on the mentally ill.
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