Some of the most egregious harms have been done in the name of “help,” and this is especially true when it comes to forced psychiatric interventions. Investigative journalist, Rob Wipond illuminates the systemic harms of the psychiatric system after experiencing his father attempt to get help and instead of care, be met with coercion and force. As many find out, this is an all too common story. The evidence that psychiatric detention is beneficial to people is lacking, yet rates continue to dramatically rise. From mental health laws and policies, to corruption in pharmaceutical companies, and even political organizations lobbying for more control, all grease the wheels of power and injustice.

In this episode we discuss:

• the politics of forced psychiatric treatment and why it is harmful


• how the evidence on forced treatment is systematically hidden


• the ins and out of mental health laws


• why there’s a higher suicide risk in the weeks after psychiatric hospitalization


• how giving people the label of ‘lacking insight’ is dangerous and false


• several alternative interventions and why we need more advocates


• advice for family members


• the cultural shift that’s needed

Rob Wipond is a freelance investigative journalist who writes frequently about the interfaces between psychiatry, civil rights, community issues, policing, surveillance and privacy, and social change. His articles have been nominated for seventeen magazine and journalism awards in science, law, business, and community issues, and he’s the author of the book Your Consent is Not Required: The Rise in Psychiatric Detentions, Forced Treatment, and Abusive Guardianships.

Links

Rob’s Website: https://robwipond.com/about

Book: Your Consent is not Required: https://robwipond.com/your-consent-is-not-required

Socials:

https://twitter.com/robwipond

https://www.facebook.com/RobWipondAuthor

https://www.youtube.com/user/robwipond

Resources:

• US rates of committment: Lee, Gi and David Cohen. “Incidences of Involuntary Psychiatric Detentions in 25 U.S. States.” Psychiatric Services 72, no. 1 (January 1, 2021). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.201900477


• European rates of commitment: Sheridan Rains, Luke. “Variations in Patterns of Involuntary Hospitalisation and
  in Legal Frameworks: An International Comparative Study.” Lancet Psychiatry 6, no. 5 (May 2019). https://doi.org/10.1016%2
  FS2215-0366(19)30090-2


• Suicidality after hospitalization:
  Whitaker, Robert. “Suicide in the Age of Prozac.” Mad in America (August 6, 2018). https://www.madinamerica.com/2018/08/suicide-in-the-age-ofprozac/
  &
  Simons, Peter. “Involuntary Hospitalization Increases Risk of Suicide.” Mad in America (June 24, 2019). https://www.madinamerica.
  com/2019/06/involuntary-hospitalization-increases-risk-suicide-study-finds/


• United Nations statement: https://www.ohchr.org/en/statements/2020/10/statement-mr-dainius-puras-special-rapporteur-right-everyone-enjoyment-highest


• Find all notes, research, and resources list on Rob’s Website

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Disclaimer: The DEPTH Work Podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Any information on this podcast in no way to be construed or substituted as psychological counseling, psychotherapy, mental health counseling, or any other type of therapy or medical advice.