Strengths and weaknesses of Traditional Model and Stone’s Model

After your reading, consider these two models for involuntary commitment and evaluate the strength and weakness of each.

Traditional Model

1. Presence of Major Mental Illness.
2. Danger to Self or others due to Mental Illness.
3. Patient is unable to decide on appropriate treatment.
4. No less restrictive alternative than being hospitalized.

Stone’s Model

Stone (1976) suggested scrapping dangerousness as a criterion for commitment, stating that too many mentally ill individuals will not get the treatment they need. He suggested the following criteria as an alternative to the Dangerousness Model:

1. Reliable diagnosis of severe mental disorders.
2. Mental disorder substantially impairs patient or is substantially disruptive to family or society.
3. Treatment for the condition is available.
4. There is no less intrusive treatment available.
5. The patient will not accept treatment voluntarily.
6. A reasonable person would not reject the voluntary treatment.