AVOIDING STIGMA OF MENTAL ILLNESS IS COSTING SOCIETY MILLIONS
Dina Elbanna is a schizophrenic that costs Hoboken thousands of dollars in professional services every time she gets arrested. What is her crime? Defiance Disorder fueled by her schizophrenia.
SOCIETY PROTECTS MENTALLY ILL PATIENTS FROM STIGMA BY MIXING THEM IN THROUGHOUT SOCIETY WITHOUT IDENTIFYING THEIR CONDITION – BUT AT WHAT COST?
BY SNN.BZ STAFF
A Humane and Cost-Effective Approach to Mental Health Crises in Hoboken and other similarly sized cities must be discussed at the federal level because the current circumstance is not working and deteriorating daily.
In modern day America, the mentally ill (even if they are deemed highly dangerous) are mixed throughout society with the aim of not having them suffer from the stigma of mental illness. The people hurt by mentally ill persons, when reporting the problem to the police, are advised that the individual is mentally insane or unstable so that the victim does not sue. In reality, since the idea that mentally ill persons be loose on the streets was society’s idea – victims should be able to sue the government.
The matter of not identifying the mentally ill is not openly discussed but it is becoming obvious throughout the nation that giving mentally ill patients more protection from stigma is also exposing society to repeated attacks and assaults perpetuated by the mentally ill who when questioned are then shielded by HIPPAA protections.
The mentally ill, specifically those that are arrested repeatedly create a great deal of cost to their respective communities and everyone quietly goes along with it because they’re used to living with the insane. Well many communities are openly discussing the matter so they can put an end to it or at the very least, apply some controls.
Historically, individuals with severe mental illnesses, particularly those deemed dangerous or volatile, were often confined to hospitals or facilities designed for the criminally insane—isolated facilities meant to segregate the patients from society.
These institutions, while providing containment, were frequently criticized for inhumane conditions and perpetuating stigma around mental illness. In the mid-20th century, a societal push to destigmatize mental illness led to deinstitutionalization, a movement that closed many of these facilities and integrated individuals with mental health conditions into communities. You have to wonder how much damage and killings have to occur before society admits that this current day method of mixing everyone in the same communities is not working.
The intent was to foster inclusion and provide treatment in less restrictive settings. However, this shift has left communities, medical facilities and law enforcement ill-equipped to handle complex cases, particularly for patients with conditions like schizophrenia who exhibit disruptive or criminal behavior.
BELOW IS AN ANALYSIS OF U.S. PSYCHIATRIC TREATMENT LAWS
STATE BY STATE
Key Statistics and Insights
- Prevalence of Mental Illness in the Criminal Justice System:
- Approximately 26% of individuals in U.S. jails have a serious mental illness (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression), compared to about 5% in the general population.
- A 2015 study from Oxford University found that 42% of male prisoners and 60% of female prisoners had a diagnosed psychiatric disorder before release, with 25% of men and 11% of women convicted of violent crimes within an average of 3.2 years post-release.
- In a San Diego County health system study, 12% of adult psychiatric patients had prior incarcerations, while 28% of Connecticut residents treated for schizophrenia or bipolar disorder had been arrested or detained.
- Approximately 26% of individuals in U.S. jails have a serious mental illness (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or major depression), compared to about 5% in the general population.
- Recidivism Rates Among Mentally Ill Offenders:
- Offenders with untreated mental illness have higher recidivism rates than those without. A South African study found that incarcerated individuals with mental health disorders, particularly when untreated, exhibited a higher likelihood of reoffending due to increased criminogenic risk factors.
- A 2017 report from the Treatment Advocacy Center noted that individuals with serious mental illness who commit major crimes (about 2% of the 8.2 million Americans with severe psychiatric disorders) are at heightened risk of re-arrest without treatment.
- Recidivism rates for mental health diversion programs, which aim to treat rather than incarcerate, can be as high as 60% within two years if oversight and treatment are inadequate.
- Offenders with untreated mental illness have higher recidivism rates than those without. A South African study found that incarcerated individuals with mental health disorders, particularly when untreated, exhibited a higher likelihood of reoffending due to increased criminogenic risk factors.
- Violence and Harm to Society:
- The link between mental illness and violence is often overstated. Studies, such as the Epidemiologic Catchment Area (ECA) survey, show that only 4% of societal violence is attributable to serious mental illness alone, with 96% of violence occurring regardless of mental health status.
- However, specific subgroups—particularly those with untreated severe mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders—are at higher risk. For example, individuals with major psychiatric illness and substance use disorders have a four-fold increased risk of committing a crime or violent act.
- Around 10% of patients with schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders exhibit violent behavior, compared to less than 2% of the general population, though this is often linked to factors like substance abuse or non-adherence to treatment.
- Untreated severe mental illness is a significant factor in rare but extreme cases, such as homicides or mass shootings, particularly when combined with substance abuse or a history of victimization.
- The link between mental illness and violence is often overstated. Studies, such as the Epidemiologic Catchment Area (ECA) survey, show that only 4% of societal violence is attributable to serious mental illness alone, with 96% of violence occurring regardless of mental health status.
- Victimization and Societal Impact:
- People with mental illness are more likely to be victims than perpetrators of violence. A study found that 8.2% of individuals with severe mental illness were criminally victimized over a four-month period, compared to a 3.1% annual rate for the general population.
- Young people with mental illness are particularly vulnerable to violent victimization, with some studies suggesting a stronger link between mental illness and victimization than with offending.
- The presence of untreated mentally ill individuals in communities can pose risks to vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and children, especially in cases of volatile behavior. However, precise data on incidents involving these populations is scarce, as most studies focus on broader crime statistics rather than specific victim demographics.
- People with mental illness are more likely to be victims than perpetrators of violence. A study found that 8.2% of individuals with severe mental illness were criminally victimized over a four-month period, compared to a 3.1% annual rate for the general population.
- Costs to Municipalities:
- The financial burden of managing mentally ill individuals who repeatedly offend is significant. In the case of Dina Elbanna in Hoboken, each incident involving minor theft (e.g., a cookie or coffee) is estimated to cost the city $8,000-$10,000 per hour when factoring in police, medical, and administrative resources. While specific cost estimates vary, a 90-day treatment in a mental health facility could prevent the equivalent of a 10-year imprisonment, offering substantial savings.
- Nationally, the cost of incarcerating individuals with mental illness is high, with jails and prisons often serving as de facto mental health facilities. For example, 50% of incarcerated individuals have a mental illness, straining resources due to inadequate community treatment options.
- The financial burden of managing mentally ill individuals who repeatedly offend is significant. In the case of Dina Elbanna in Hoboken, each incident involving minor theft (e.g., a cookie or coffee) is estimated to cost the city $8,000-$10,000 per hour when factoring in police, medical, and administrative resources. While specific cost estimates vary, a 90-day treatment in a mental health facility could prevent the equivalent of a 10-year imprisonment, offering substantial savings.
- Challenges of Deinstitutionalization:
- Deinstitutionalization, beginning in the 1950s, reduced state hospital beds from 340 per 100,000 in 1955 to 14.1 per 100,000 in 2010, leaving many with severe mental illness without adequate care. This has led to increased interactions with the criminal justice system, as communities lack sufficient mental health resources.
- Only 26% of U.S. mental healthcare needs are met, and over 50% of individuals with mental illness receive no treatment, exacerbating risks of recidivism and harm.
- Deinstitutionalization, beginning in the 1950s, reduced state hospital beds from 340 per 100,000 in 1955 to 14.1 per 100,000 in 2010, leaving many with severe mental illness without adequate care. This has led to increased interactions with the criminal justice system, as communities lack sufficient mental health resources.
Addressing the Concerns
The concern about ignoring criminal behavior by mentally ill individuals due to high municipal costs and risks to vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and children, is valid but requires nuance. While the data shows that untreated mental illness, particularly when combined with substance abuse, increases the risk of reoffending and occasional violence, the overall contribution of mental illness to societal violence is low (4% per the ECA study). The greater risk lies in the lack of treatment and support, which leads to cycles of petty crimes, arrests, and hospitalizations, as seen in cases like Elbanna’s.
Rather than criminalizing mental illness, evidence suggests that investing in community-based interventions could reduce both costs and risks:
- Mobile Crisis Teams: These can respond to incidents involving mentally ill individuals, de-escalating situations and connecting them to care, reducing police involvement and costs.
- Supportive Housing and Case Management: Providing stable environments and ongoing treatment can prevent recidivism and protect communities.
- Diversion Programs: Redirecting individuals to treatment rather than jail has shown promise but requires robust oversight to avoid high recidivism rates (up to 60% in some programs).
- Community Education: Training businesses and residents to recognize mental health crises can prevent escalation, protecting vulnerable groups like children and the elderly.
Limitations and Gaps
Data on mentally ill individuals who repeatedly reoffend and harm specific vulnerable groups (e.g., elderly, children) is limited, as most studies focus on general crime or victimization rates. Methodological challenges, such as inconsistent definitions of violence, non-representative samples, and lack of control for substance abuse, further obscure precise statistics. Additionally, public perceptions, often fueled by media portrayals, exaggerate the link between mental illness and danger, which can overshadow the need for treatment-focused solutions.
While a small subset of individuals with untreated serious mental illness—approximately 2% of the 8.2 million with severe psychiatric disorders in the U.S.—are at heightened risk of reoffending, their overall contribution to societal violence is minimal.
The financial burden on municipalities, as seen in Hoboken’s $8,000-$10,000 per incident cost, and the potential risks to vulnerable populations underscore the need for proactive measures.
In the past four years, governments worldwide have facilitated the migration of roughly 21 million people to the U.S. southern border, including some released from prisons and mental health facilities, in a pattern reminiscent of Fidel Castro’s 1980 Mariel Boatlift when he emptied Cuba’s mental health facilities and prisons.
This migration was influenced by “Open Border” policies from the Biden-Harris administration that encouraged border crossings. This observation reflects a global trend, grounded in documented events, rather than partisan viewpoints. The Cartels made a fortune moving millions of illegal aliens into the United States.
Investing in mental health treatment, diversion programs, and community support can reduce recidivism, lower costs, and enhance safety, addressing both the economic and social concerns without perpetuating stigma or criminalization. None of those cures apply however if the populations by the thousands are playing hide-and-seek-with the authorities. They majority of the recently arrived aren’t here legally here to begin with and are not going to stand around waiting for mental health counseling.
Allowing the situation to continue as it has throughout the United States is going to create a serious backlash because the sane population will eventually react against the mentally ill in order to defend themselves since they know that all the aggressor has to say is “I’m mentally ill or I don’t speak English.” This feeling of helplessness has fostered a great resentment towards illegal aliens.
