VIMHS
Vancouver Island Mental Health Society
A critical perspective on involuntary care
A critical perspective on involuntary care
A critical perspective on involuntary care
Friday 16th May 2025
Explore the complexities of involuntary psychiatric care with Rob Wipond's critical perspective on People First Radio.
57 minutes
Informative
Eye-opening
Compassionate
Honest
Supportive
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Get the buttons here!Unpacking Involuntary Psychiatric Care: Rob Wipond's Perspective
Episode Overview
- Involuntary commitments have increased dramatically across North America.
- Current mental health laws allow broad discretion for psychiatrists.
- Forced treatments can lead to significant human rights breaches.
- Institutionalisation often results in loss of jobs and homes.
- Advocates suggest financial support for families as an alternative.
"If this could happen to him, I immediately started to wonder, well, who else could this be happening to and what's happening to them?"
If you've ever wondered about the complexities of involuntary psychiatric care, this episode of People First Radio offers a deep dive into the subject. Joe Pugh hosts investigative journalist Rob Wipond, who shares his critical perspective on the issue, drawing from his book 'Your Consent is Not Required'. Wipond's interest in the topic was sparked by his father's experience in the late 90s, where he faced forced electroconvulsive therapy after voluntarily seeking help.
This personal connection drives Wipond to question the narratives surrounding involuntary treatment and calls for more transparency and accountability. Wipond challenges the common belief that mental health laws have become stricter over time, revealing instead that involuntary commitments have increased dramatically. He discusses the broad discretion given to psychiatrists under current laws, leading to decisions that can often be subjective and unscientific.
His insights highlight the potential human rights breaches within these systems, as individuals can be forcibly medicated with fewer due process rights than those accused of criminal activities. The episode also explores the impact of involuntary commitment on people's lives, from losing jobs and homes to being socially ostracised. Wipond advocates for a shift in focus, suggesting that financial support for families could be a more humane approach than institutionalisation.
His conversation with Pugh raises essential questions about the effectiveness and ethics of current practices. This episode is not just an eye-opener but a call to reflect on how society handles mental health crises. If you're interested in understanding the intricacies of involuntary psychiatric care and its implications, this conversation is worth your time.