I really appreciate that you took the time to read my article and share your impassioned and well articulated thoughts. I'm not sure that we are that far apart in our views.

My major point is that the "category" of SMI is really poorly defined. I have worked with people at the severe end of the ADHD spectrum who could never hold a job, or a friendship. And I have worked with people with psychotic, bipolar, or depressive conditions who fully functioned in society.

Putting some people into the SMI category, and omitting others, because of diagnostic labels, rather than severity of impairment doesn't strike me as helpful.

I still think SMI is a degrading, meaningless term, even if it has possibly been useful in directing federal and state funding towards people who can really use the help.