Maybe forced intervention could have provided a route back for this young man. However, if I put myself in his parents' place, I don't know what I would have done. With the benefit of hindsight, of course I would have had him committed, but his parents didn't have that 20/20 hindsight benefit and there are beaucoup stories of horrid outcomes post-commitment that would cause anyone to hesitate.

I've taken in homeless people to help them get back up. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Paranoid ones are usually in the latter group. If they are also intelligent that unfortunately makes it even harder for them. It's tough to help someone who can't trust you.