In a week rife with trauma and tragedy, the Fox and Friends news host Brian Kilmeade displayed both a lack of knowledge and an incredible void of  compassion when he recommended “involuntary lethal injection” for people who are homeless and mentally ill and who turn away from services.

Kilmeade made the comment amid a broadcast discussion of the sad, horrific death of Iryna Zarutska. Every murder is a tragedy and Zarutska’s death was especially tragic. She was a refugee seeking safety and a better life in America after escaping Russia’s war and ruthless campaign of killing civilians in Ukraine.  Her alleged attacker is reportedly a homeless man with schizophrenia and a history of previous arrests.

Discussing the killing, Kilmeade’s co-host said homeless people with mental illness should not be given treatment options but forced to take the treatment offered or locked up in jail.  Kilmeade took the matter further, recommending “just kill them” by giving them involuntary lethal injections.

Nazi Germany followed a similar practice of euthanizing people with mental disorders in the 1930s.

After several days of numerous complaints about his statement, Kilmeade apologized for what he termed his “extremely callous remark” and stated that many homeless people “deserve our empathy and compassion.”

At least he had that part right.

Despite the apology, the Fox news coverage failed to acknowledge key points.

Missing Facts

Decades of mental health services and scientific research, including 35 years of my own experience, make clear:

• The vast majority homeless and mentally ill people can be successfully engaged in services and treatment, though it can take time and skillful practice as well as follow-up resources
• Similarly, the vast majority of homeless and mentally ill people can become stably housed in the community when provided with intensive and respectful services such as assertive community treatment, especially when coupled with housing support.
• It is factual that some—a very small minority—of people with mental illness may require short-term involuntary treatment if they become at serious risk of harm to themselves or others.
• And for those who have committed serious crimes, forensic settings may be appropriate. Over time and with treatment and stabilization, many of these individuals can also safely transition to the community with effective services like FACT.
• It should also be noted that homeless people are more often the victims than the perpetrators of crime.

Fox co-host Lawrence Jones also incorrectly declared, “It’s not a money problem,” stating plenty of funds have been given to services for people who are homeless and mentally ill.

In fact, services and resources do work to end homelessness and improve mental health and community living. The core problem is that the existing level of funding does not meet the level of human need.

In time, it will take a greater commitment to fund effective mental health services and housing resources to help people with mental illness out of homelessness and to live meaningful and safe lives in the community.

In the meantime, greater compassion and broadcasting correct information—not misinformation and inhumane attitudes—will provide a start.