Roughly 1 in 4 fatal police encounters end the life of someone with mental illness, so it’s no surprise that this program is saving lives. Sending healthcare professionals—not police—when someone is experiencing a mental health crisis makes our communities safer for all.
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This is exactly why I introduced legislation to make it easier for local governments to send mental health professionals instead of police when 911 is called for a mental health emergency. We should connect those in crisis to care, not throw them in jail.
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Having a mental illness is not a crime, and we have to stop treating it like one. Today, I introduced a bill that would enable local governments to send mental health professionals—not police—when 911 is called because someone is in a mental health crisis.
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It is criminal to be mentally ill in this country. Many families need huge changes in how society handles these individuals.
I only wish the help would come sooner before it's too late, like it already is for families and friends struggling. Covid has been hell on my family
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I had a brain injury when I was 15. Memory loss, visual perception problems and epilepsy were the end result. It is tough not knowing who your family is and where you were at this time yesterday. Its gonna happen. You will at some point in your life encounter another like me.
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The first thing I was taught as a caregiver was never, ever, ever call the cops. No matter what. It’s a death sentence. So, essentially, caregivers for mentally ill people are alone. No matter how bad it gets, we have to deal with it...alone.
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My mom is an RN and worked in mental health. I remember she worked close with the Kings County PD in the 70's. The PD would call her to help respond to mental health suspects. Then funds were cut by the president who pushed mental health funding to states. Been downhill since.
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Great. Now pen the legislation that bans brain damaging, memory destroying, identity removing, career ending electroshock, which some of those picked up for “care” will end up receiving. Then I’ll be impressed.
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Is there a national directory or a state-by-state directory of such programs?