Prejudice

Posted on | January 24, 2008 | Comments Off on Prejudice

Does a diagnosis of mental illness lead to unfair targeting?

Health Commentary viewer Mary Donohue wrote to us on Jan. 24 with this thought: "The words and behaviors of any person today with a diagnosis of ‘mental illness’ become the target of scrutiny not required of those who have not been labeled. "They’re not taking their medication" becomes a war cry. Anyone who so chooses and has understands the system can convince others someone else is ‘crazy.’ A large number of people are being falsely hospitaled and medicated because of this."

What’s YOUR opinion? Is Mary right that some people may be on medications who shouldn’t be? Should we be taking stronger steps to prevent prejudice against those with mental illness? Tell us how you feel!