Mark,
Herbs can be very powerful, and not for all, at all times. Mental illness is a real illness, not just people "being weak", or not spiritual enough. I do not advocate herbs/ganja in this circumstance. I have seen it over and over, where a one has a psychotic illness, whether acute or chronic, and ganja is way too powerful for them and distorts their faculties. A one comes back from leave etc, after having used ganja, and things are back at the beginning again (like when they were admitted).
To give you a related example, my mother had troubles with arthritis and found that acupuncture was not effective enough. She was then prescribed Chinese herbs, and she died 4 weeks later of acute liver failure.
Herbs must be used judiciously bredren, and definately not when a one is acutely mentally unwell.
Just for a little bit further info, medications used in the psychiatric ward are not the only remedies being used to help the person. Nurses use counselling and maintain the patients' safety at a time when they are vulnerable and their judgement and insight are impaired. Liason with patients' families, friends and community supports are also implemented.
I hope this info is helpful. Sis Naphtali