title: Commitment of the mentally ill.
abstract: The medical legal debate concerning committal is outlined and the recent scientific contributions to the committal debate are evaluated. It is noted that scientific surveys have made few significant contributions to the debate. Suggestions are made for further research in the hope that an increased contribution of scientific fact may help diffuse the heated exchange between the supporters and detractors of the committal process for the better care of a significant portion of our mentally ill.
mesh_terms: D002170:Canada; D002669:Child Welfare / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D003134:Commitment of Persons with Psychiatric Disorders / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000639:trends*; D005555:Forensic Psychiatry / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009864:Ontario; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D012107:Research Design; D012945:Social Values; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D013781:Texas; D014481:United States