Recently Quebec has introduced a legislation that would make it easier for a person to be admitted involuntarily, meaning that the criteria for admitting someone would change.
As it stands now, in Quebec:
“only physicians were explicitly given the power to confine people and order psychiatric assessments.
Quebec Health Minister Sonia Bélanger said at a news conference that the new law “strikes a balance between the protection of these people and others, and the respect of fundamental rights.”
“The first change we’re making,” Belanger said, “is giving intervenors the possibility to act earlier, before the situation becomes irreparable.”
This change follows two incidents in which two people were killed, so changing this would allow, according to the Quebec Health Minister, for better intervention.
Some advocates argue that it might create distrust in mental health providers – those who struggle might not seek help because they fear being institutionalized involuntarily.
In 2024 I posted an IG post that highlighted a similar story where in BC, they wanted to do involuntary admission for those with addiction issues.
I agree with involuntary treatment because I believe that this intervention saved my husband’s life, which got him the diagnosis and help he needed. Many times, people with Bipolar disorder often don’t seek help because they believe that they aren’t the problem. They don’t see that they need help.
We have to remember that people with mental health issues aren’t often a danger to others, rather they are more a danger to themselves. This slightly reminds me of that movie The Minority Report – that challenged the ethics behind incarcerating someone before an act of violence is committed. Do you think this echoes the same ethical question?
If you are someone going to a health care professional, would you hide the fact that you struggle, in fear that you will be institutionalized?
I would love to hear from you! What do you think of this article?
Braver Together 
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