Doctor: Maryland needs assisted outpatient treatment so I can save my patients.

As a physician, I took an oath to first do no harm. Maryland’s lack of an assisted outpatient treatment law for civil commitment of those with serious mental illness, does not allow me to live up to that oath. This has left me and many of my colleagues disappointed, frustrated, demoralized and fearing for our patients’ lives. My passion lies in treating people with severe mental illness such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, who are often among the most disenfranchised and vulnerable.