Although we have seen some reform in the care of mental health patients this century, there is still much room for improvement. Those who were placed out in the community, as deinstitutionalization required, were sometimes or in worse situations than they were inside the hospitals. Abuse in these homes is still seen time after time.

In addition to changes in housing of patients, there have been developments in psychiatric medications and treatments. The development of thorazine allowed many patients to live less anxious lives. But just like any medication, thorazine must be used properly to give patients benefits. Doctors are still overworked, underpaid, and sometimes undertrained or of questionable moral fiber. Medications are sometimes therefore improperly prescribed and the side effects are common and can be quite severe. Misdiagnosis often occurs as well. Some doctors may give very strong medications to massive amounts of patients, just to keep them quiet, so they are easier to handle. This is a disservice.

Another issue that has been brought to the forefront is the issue of involuntary incarceration/committment. Some argue that involuntary committment is unconstitutional. Others argue that it is not unconstitutional, and that it is often medically necessary. Among those affected by the laws and practices of involuntary committment, are our citizens who are adolescents. Their concerns need to be addressed as well.

Involuntary treatment is still an issue as well. Some treatments are still in use which have not been shown in studies to clearly be of therapeutic value. One such treatment is the range of Shock Treatments. These include the ominous ECT treatment or Electro Convulsive Therapy. The treatment involves adminstering strong electric shocks to a patient's brain, causing brain damage, often irrepperable damage at that. In addition to involuntary administrations of this treatment, there are also uniformed or underinformed patients who are electing to try this treatment. Though some report improvement, many who have undergone this treatment were not informed of the potential brain damage and life altering side effects.

Other problems still occur in our society. One important problem among these is the issue of discrimination. Those citizens with mental health disorders and disaeases are faced with harsh realities in dealing with the "normal" populous. "Regular persons" show an aversion to those who behave in non standard ways, or those who they "know" have mental health issues. After many years of being hidden away from society and kept in asylums, it is no easy task to reinstate these deserving members of society. They face discrimations of all kinds.