Research has found that psychiatric patients in hospitals who are showing disruptive and/or violent behavior are in need of improved response on the behalf of psychiatric hospitals. The use of physical or mechanical restraints has not been proven to be widely effective as a therapeutic measure, and rapid response teams that have been implemented in some hospitals have shown a reduction in the necessity for physical or mechanical restraint.

As physical and mechanical restraints can also be used as disciplinary measures against patients, and/or patients view the restraints as a disciplinary measure, the use of these restraints is not only ineffective as a therapeutic treatment, but it is detrimental to many patients' health. Because of this, patients are not only not receiving the care they need, but they are at times leaving the hospital with trauma they did not have before they entered.

According to current research, these restraints should be used only in exceptional circumstances, when there are no other means of improving the situation, and these restraints should only be used under supervision of a doctor. However, many hospitals in the United States do not adhere to these guidelines.

As mental health patients are among the more vulnerable of our population, we need to take action so that they are protected. Laws need to reflect patients' needs, and nurses and doctors must be educated on current research and any updated policies and laws.

Please join me in petitioning to the United States Health and Human Services Department to take a serious look at how psychiatric patients are treated in hospitals, and help bring about change, so that more patients can receive the help they need, rather than being punished for being ill, and being further traumatized.