(CNN) – President Donald Trump frames homeless people with mental illness as a public safety threat, and he believes forcing them into long-term institutions will restore public order.
Trump has said he would support the government reopening “insane asylums” for people with serious mental illness.
His executive order in July encourages states to force people considered a danger to themselves or others into inpatient psychiatric care.
Trump also wants states to expand assisted outpatient treatment to offer medication and intensive services for people outside a hospital setting.
However, psychiatric hospital beds, treatment slots and mental health care workers have been in short supply for years, and the president’s cuts this year to Medicaid, housing assistance and mental health programs undermine his goal of increasing involuntary commitment.
So far, the Trump administration has not pledged any new federal money for assisted outpatient treatment programs, psychiatric hospital beds or other treatment.
The overwhelming majority of Americans living on the streets pose no public danger.
Research links less than 5% of violent acts to those with serious mental illness.
Research also shows that engaging people voluntarily with treatment and services for their mental health care costs less and produces better long-term outcomes.
The White House did not respond to a request for comment on the issue.