Started October 22, 2021
Signatures: 102Next Goal: 200
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Individuals who have been involuntarily admitted to a mental hospital are disqualified from applying for TSA Pre-Check. On their page of yes/no disqualifications, the sixth question reads: "Have you ever been found by a court or other lawful authority as lacking mental capacity or involuntarily committed to a mental institution?" Their position on the matter is made clear at the top of the page, reading: "If you answer 'Yes' to question 2, 3, 4 or 6 you may want to reconsider applying."
I assume this stems from the general understanding among neurotypicals that those with mental illnesses should automatically be considered dangerous. Having spent time in a mental hospital, I have seen first hand that plenty of these patients are not dangerous at all. Many of them are there due to severe depression that has led them to suicidal thinking. They are, in that moment, a danger to themselves but not necessarily a danger to others. This disqualification also ignores the progress that is possible for all patients with mental health issues. The mental state that might lead to hospitalization is not permanent.
It is fair to admit that mental health patients with psychotic or violent aspects to their diseases should have special considerations, but the TSA should provide a clarification option and perhaps allow the submission of a doctor's note to its Pre-Check application.
