Questions whether people with mental disorders should be forced to undergo treatment

Questions have been raised over whether people with psychiatric disorders should be forced to undergo treatment after a man stabbed several people in Bondi Junction in a shopping centre. Joel Cauchi was shot dead on Saturday by a police officer after he stabbed several shoppers in a Westfield. Police are still investigating whether there were signs which could have been detected to prevent the tragedy and a possible motive for the terror attack. “I think the question here is more to say being mentally unwell – having a psychiatric disorder is not illegal,” says Child and Adolescent Psychologist Clare Rowe. “Unless you are scheduled under the Mental Health Act of which there is several reasons that you can schedule someone – that is hold them against their will and treat them,” she told Sky News host Rita Panahi.