her mother killed herself

This problem actually began in the 1960's when many community health shelters were closed. It was decided that as long as a mentally ill person or mentally disabled person did not have a legal guardian, then they were responsible for themselves and it was their CIVIL right to live as they chose, and to take or not take their medications as they chose. I agree that they should not be exploited or imprisoned, but they need their meds, and there needs to be a way to enforce compliance for them. I just do not know what it could be.It is also, as a note, illegal to force sterilization, and contraception on the mentally ill, or mentally handicapped. If the deceased woman had had a legal guardian she could have been living in a group home with med supervision. I work with adult mentally handicapped, including some mentally ill. Most of them take their own meds. I can suggest, and request, but nothing else. Even the one young woman who has locked meds that I administer can refuse, and believe me, I could not sit on her and give her meds. To your question: No, we need more options for the mentally ill, they are often abused and exploited.They do things that are beyond imaginable.I am very sad for the girl who lost her mom. I also hope that someone is observing her for mental illness, as well as for depression stemming from the sad experience of having this woman for her mom.

First of all my heart goes out to that poor little girl... how tragic. It seems in this day and age that people who have serious psychiatric problems really aren't getting the help that is really needed for them. I watched a documentary about this man who was schizophrenic and had a history of violence especially towards women and he was literally begging people even the hospitals for help and the most that ever happened was a script for more medication and a referral to a psychiatrist. He never took his meds and ended up pushing this beautiful woman in front of a moving subway. How can we trust psychiatric patients to take their medications if they are in a altered state in their minds already... it seems to me that more funding needs to be granted to help those who obviously are unable to help themselves... whether it be funded housing which is semi independent with social workers in the building at all times in case of a personal crisis, or group homes, or even more beds on hospital psychiatric units and more staffing... these people need help and its not their fault. I know some people think that psychiatric disorders are simply a cope out at life, but they really don't know what its like to have a chemical disorder in their brains until they have been diagnosed with it!

Wow sad. Someone should have stepped in and sought help for the mother. Where was the family?

I feel so sorry for the daughter. That she has her grandparents to look after her is the best thing that she has to fall back on. The sorry thing for people like her mom is that if the courts didn't see her as incompetent to take care of herself, then there was no reason to have her monitored. That is usually because they are taking their medication, but once she stops becomes non-compliant, there's still nothing that can be done. It takes a lot to have a person to become a ward of the State. There's no money in the budget to take care of people like that. Many State hospitals are just dumping people out on the streets with no follow-up care. This could have been the story behind the mother's reason for killing herself DCMerkle

It's frightening that she was never put into some kind of care or institution to protect her from harm. I hope the young girl gets to be with a good family or guardian to take care of her now that her mother is tragically gone.

Sad, but yes you are right about it she must have been gathered and not being put alone. That makes a person more ill with their suffering!

We tend to ignore what we do not understand and mental illness ranks near the top. If we understood it better we could treat is more properly; fear is the normal reaction from those of us who do not understand. Research is key along with proper education from an early age. We are our brother's keeper in this regard and should stand accountable for the welfare of those inflicted and effected by mental illness. We are much better at dealing with it than in years past but we still have such a very long way to go.

I am very sorry for your loss and the loss of this very young girl. I am not sure if a group home could have been possible for your friend, or if she even met the requirements to be in one. I hope that all of you have some peace of mind soon and that this young girl keeps in touch with her family. *hugs*