The 5150 psychiatric hold that recently confined celebrity Amanda Bynes again stirred the reaction of people around the world. Bynes reportedly set a fire in a stranger's driveway which allowed the deputies in California to involuntarily confine her.
"Sometimes there are no symptoms, just substance abuse and in some cases you don't need meds because the substance abuse problems can be treated in a different way," Rusty Selix of Mental Health Association of California said. "You can figure out pretty quickly if addiction is the issue by seeing what's in their system and whether that is part or the whole problem."
A recent study showed that one person in every five thinks that his own life wasn't worth living. 42% would experience a level of psychological distress. This would further lead to substance abuse.
The Mental Health Services Act that currently provides help for Californians who were affected by mental illnesses was funded by 1% tax per year. It was expected to bring nearly US$1 billion each year to county mental health system. 75% of this funding would go to programs on community services and support. The mental health care patients would all benefit with the government's program.
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