New Study Questions Benefits of Involuntary Outpatient Mental Health Programs

An independent assessment of New York's assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) program, which mandates care for individuals with serious mental illnesses, was released this week. The study measured hospitalizations, arrests and other metrics, finding that AOT produced comparable reductions to those achieved by voluntary treatment options. Participants in the involuntary program described instances of coercion and additional negative effects.

Based on these findings, the authors argue that state resources would be better allocated to expanding voluntary mental health services. Bevin Croft, director of the Human Services Research Institute’s Behavioral Health team and co-author, emphasized that the key factor for improved outcomes is patient engagement, regardless of whether it is compulsory. The report adds to a mixed body of evidence on the efficacy of forced outpatient care, which has grown across most U.S. states over the past thirty years.