[metalcrow]

Those are very good points, but it does make me question how other countries handle the mentally ill so much better.

[throwaway_5633]

Universal healthcare, social security. There has been a reduction in availability of care for the mentally ill in the country I live, which resulted in more homelessness, confused people on the streets etc.

[tharmas]

Same where i live. In the 90s there were huge cuts to balance the deficit. Then, combined with the rising cost of housing throughout the noughties and after, massive numbers of homeless in tents you never saw before.