Trump Orders States to Expand Involuntary Commitment Laws to Combat Homelessness and Mental Health Issues
President Donald Trump has issued an executive order encouraging states to expand involuntary commitment laws, aiming to tackle homelessness and mental health issues in the United States. This comes after a recent murder on a Charlotte train by a homeless man with a history of serious mental illness, sparking calls for a tougher approach.
Trump's order seeks to address the record number of Americans living on the streets, with approximately a quarter suffering from schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or other severe mental illnesses. Despite the perception of mental illness as a public safety threat, only 3% to 5% of violent acts are linked to individuals with serious mental illness.
The order also aims to expand assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) programs, which provide court-ordered treatment for individuals with mental illness who are unlikely to comply with treatment voluntarily. Trump's cuts to Medicaid, housing assistance, and mental health programs, however, make it more challenging to add psychiatric beds and increase involuntary commitment.
The executive order is a response to growing concerns about homelessness and mental health in the U.S. While it encourages states to expand involuntary commitment laws and AOT programs, it remains to be seen how these changes will be funded, given the previous cuts to related programs. About 20% of adults with serious mental illness currently do not receive treatment, highlighting the need for comprehensive solutions.
