STAT+: As Trump administration pushes court-ordered mental health care, a new report raises questions

Over the past three decades, the use of involuntary outpatient treatment for individuals with serious mental health conditions has become widespread across almost all states. However, the effectiveness of these programs has been a subject of uncertainty. A recent examination of New York's involuntary outpatient treatment program sheds light on the matter, revealing both positive and negative aspects of such care.

The study found that both assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) and voluntary treatment helped reduce hospitalizations, arrests, and other incidents. Consequently, the authors of the independent evaluation recommended directing more funding towards voluntary services, particularly after learning about the coercion and potential harms associated with AOT orders.

Bevin Croft, director of Human Services Research Institute's Behavioral Health team and a co-author of the study, noted that "When people are engaged in services, they have better outcomes," implying that the voluntary nature of treatment may not significantly impact the results. To dive deeper into this story, visit STAT+.