MENTALLY ILL = HIGHER CRIMINAL RATE?

Salam

I found a very interesting facts that I think should be shared with all of you outside there for the sake of justice in the mentally ill patient who are currently on treatment. It is a fact that is base on a thorough study of thousands of mentally ill patient but nevertheless, the perception and stigma towards the mentally ill person hinder the true facts about the illness.

There are few cases in our country that involve the mentally unsound people and cases that purportedly done by unsound people but later found to be not true at all. Most of us can still recall the kindergarten case where few children were assaulted by unknown assailant that initially was thought to be done by people with unsound mind but later noted to be not true at all. Mind you that majority of the heinous crime are not done by the mentally unsound but the one with sound mind but with the heinous heart. (read Sosilawati case).

According to Malaysian Psychiatric Association president, Dr Abdul Kadir Abu Bakar, people with mental disorder had the lowest potential to commit a crime, even lower than normal people if he /she are undergoing treatment. However, anyone that is mentally il but not being sent for treatment (read: bomoh treatment only) have 4 times higher rate of committing crime than the one who receive treatment.

It is vitally important for all of us to know that mentally ill patient should be properly treated instead of shun them away from the society. the success rate for treated patient is 80% and almost half of the people in our country with mental illness never get the treatment due to misconception and ignorance. We have a lot of stigma in our culture and life that bring injustice to this people. Give them the chance and be more responsible to bring a brighter future for them. I am confident that we all can do this