Well, in America, we aren't supposed to punish someone for what they might do. Yet that's what goes on with some psych treatments. Usually, a person has to show signs of wanting to do harm, but that's not always the case.

And speaking of guns...most mentally ill people aren't violent. They are U.S. citizens (in the U.S., of course), and entitled to the same freedoms as anyone else, including the right to protect oneself, yet many want to keep guns out of the hands of the mentally ill, because people fear the mentally ill. Even if a person doesn't have a violent history, "normal" people want to prevent whatever crime they perceive will happen. But we're "innocent until proven guilty," right? I can tell you a lot of people who I have predicted (rightfully and wrongfully) would perform certain behaviors, including becoming violent. Some people make trouble for others because they try to get into everyone's business, and warn the cops, "Just wait! She's going to [whatever it is this person thinks she's going to do] and then it'll be too late!" There are a lot of crimes we could prevent if we just forced people out of the general society because we think they might do something wrong. What if they did a study, and it turned out that most gun crimes weren't committed by mentally ill persons, but black people instead? Are we going to take guns from black people, even if they legally own them? If they're more likely to commit a crime, doesn't that seem to be the thing to do? That's the logic used against the mentally ill.

One thing about medications: Besides side effects, there are potential future health risks. Many medications can raise blood sugar, making someone more likely to develop diabetes. Heart problems can arise. Kidney problems. Liver problems. On and on. Nobody should be able to make the choice to put someone on medication except for the person who will be taking the meds.