The COVID-19 pandemic has had monumental impact on us all, in innumerable ways. Of upmost importance to the Treatment Advocacy Center, the pandemic has shed light on the grave consequences of our system’s failure to adequately serve those with severe mental illness.
From the illness’ outsized impact on homeless people with mental illness, to the unique concerns of people with mental illness in jails or in our already overwhelmed emergency departments, the failure to adequately address severe mental illness has complicated our national pandemic response and amplified suffering.
The pandemic has also thrown the consequences of forcing law enforcement officers onto the front lines of mental health into stark relief. On March 23, our executive director, John Snook, was invited to testify before the Presidential Law Enforcement Commission on these issues and the causes and consequences of the criminalization of mental illness.
John’s testimony is here. But we hope you will also weigh in.
- Tell the commission how the criminalization of mental illness has impacted you and your family. Demand that mental health systems prioritize severe mental illness and mental health care must come before arrest.
- Statements are limited to 3 single-spaced pages and must include name, title and phone number. Reference the commission topic: How do mental illness and homelessness affect the ability of law enforcement?
