Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Seeking advice re mentally ill community member

[Roger Burson (Roger.Burson]

 My experience is similar to that described below...
Many years ago in an intentional community I lived in we had a mentally
disturbed woman move in. She was very bright, and when not displaying
psychosis seemed friendly and "normal". She took others food, slept with
men in the community, and took various drugs. 

After things escalated over time, she ultimately had to be removed from
the property by the Sheriff in a very ugly scene. 

Compassion does not necessarily mean allowing or perpetuating
destructive behaviors that endanger the larger community. Cohousing is
no substitute for professional mental health therapy. 

-----Original Message-----
From: Ellen Keyne Seebacher [mailto:elle [at] pobox.com] 
Sent: Saturday, March 31, 2007 7:43 AM
To: suhopdu [at] mail.umich.edu
Cc: elle [at] anderson.unchi.org; cohousing-l [at] cohousing.org
Subject: Re: [C-L]_ Seeking advice re mentally ill community member

I have schizophrenia in my own family (including a violently paranoid
cousin), and I've lived with a paranoid roommate who had to be carted
off by police after she pulled a knife on another housemate.

So I'm astounded that this is even an issue; what you describe, with the
medication noncompliance, substance abuse, and self-mutilation, sounds
like a tragedy waiting to happen.  Note that schizophrenics, when they
become violent, *most often target family members and
friends* -- meaning, in this case, your community.  Here's an article
summarizing some cases of family-directed violence, which your community
should read and think about:

  http://www.schizophrenia.com/New/Dec2002/violenceDec02.htm

This woman needs help, and that help may involve commitment to a mental
facility and/or police escorting her off your property.  It does not, as
far as I can tell, involve tolerating her invading your homes, stealing,
screaming, having sex on your property, and leaving blood in your sinks.
:(


        Ellen Seebacher

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