The Right to Receive Treatment/The Right to Refuse Treatment

This is a broad topic that goes to the heart of American ideals of personal liberty. Does anyonegovernment, family, medical communityhave the right to deprive a person of his or her personal freedom? Involuntary commitment is a paramount example of the loss of the "inalienable rights" guaranteed to American citizens by the founders of our country. Further, once a person has been committed to a mental health facility, that person has the right to receive treatment for the condition that led to the commitment. On the other hand, a person has the right to refuse treatment, but this right is not recognized in every state, and in most states, can be overruled in many circumstances. Discuss relevant issues for determining when (or if) a person should be institutionalized, the right to receive treatment, and the right to refuse treatment