City of Harrisonburg, VA - Government’s Post

The intersection of mental health and the criminal justice system is a pressing issue that demands urgent attention. Research shows that a significant portion of incarcerated individuals, some studies show up to 40%, suffer from untreated mental health conditions, ranging from depression and anxiety to severe disorders like schizophrenia. Behind bars, the lack of adequate mental health care not only exacerbates these conditions but also creates an environment where individuals are less likely to rehabilitate and more likely to reoffend upon release. This cycle underscores the need for systemic reform, prioritizing access to mental health care both within and beyond correctional facilities. Equally concerning is the gap in community-based mental health resources, particularly inpatient care options for individuals struggling with severe mental health issues. This scarcity leaves judges in a difficult position—releasing someone in need of intensive mental health care often feels like an untenable choice when those resources simply don’t exist. Without robust mental health systems outside of custody, the criminal justice system becomes a default provider, which it is ill-equipped to handle. Addressing this crisis requires a collaborative approach that integrates mental health services into every stage of the justice process, from arrest and adjudication to reentry, ensuring that individuals receive the care they need to heal and reintegrate successfully.

Looking for a bit of good news in the world of mental health? Say less, fam. I think the cool kids are still saying that? Anyways, I digress… The mental health equivalent of an urgent care clinic has arrived in South Central Pennsylvania, and it’s about time. Next week, the Connections Emergency Behavioral Health Crisis Walk-in Center opens its doors in Harrisburg as the region’s first 24/7 mental health walk-in clinic. Here’s what makes it special: - Anyone 14 and older can walk in and get professional psychiatric care, no matter their insurance or ability to pay. - Police officers now have a better option—a dedicated entrance for those who need mental health support rather than jail or the streets. - Patients are seen within 90 minutes, slashing wait times compared to emergency rooms. - Mobile units staffed by clinicians and people with lived experience respond to crises in the field. This is part of a much-needed shift in how we address mental health crises—treating them as health issues, not simply crimes. Early results from similar centers across the country show that most patients stabilize within 24 hours and rarely need hospitalization or jail afterward. The potential impact? Fewer ER bottlenecks, fewer incarcerations, and fewer tragedies in our community. It’s a start. And for those facing mental health challenges, it’s hope. This is the way.

This an absolute Blockbuster article 80% of IMPD runs are likely MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES Less than 40% of officers have crisis intervention training because it's VOLUNTARY, despite IMPD claims that most are trained IMPD doubled its Mobile Crisis Assistance Team (MCAT) that handles mental health calls to a total of 9 officers for a city of almost 900,000 Some have been killed in encounters with officers not equipped to handle mental health issues on the streets The takeaway is that non-police solutions must be sought and funded to safely address mental health issues in Indianapolis https://lnkd.in/gBBjCw5e

Also today there was a new Mental Health Bill Key changes introduced include: Statutory Care and Treatment Plans Each patient will have legally required, individualized care and treatment plans. These will outline what is needed for their discharge, making care more personalized and focused on recovery. Right to Choose a Nominated Person Patients will be given the right to choose who represents their interests, rather than automatically defaulting to their nearest relative. This change allows greater autonomy in who has a say in their care. Improved Access to Advocacy Patients who are detained under the Mental Health Act will have enhanced access to advocacy services to better support their interests and ensure their voices are heard. Ending the Use of Police and Prison Cells The Bill will prohibit the use of police and prison cells for people experiencing a mental health crisis. Patients will instead be placed in suitable healthcare facilities designed to meet their needs. More Involvement for Families and Carers The role of families and carers will be strengthened, requiring clinicians to consult with individuals close to the patient when making decisions about care. This is to ensure the patient’s wishes and safety are better considered. Addressing Disparities and Inappropriate Detention The Bill aims to reduce the disproportionate detention rates of Black people, autistic individuals, and those with learning disabilities, recognizing past injustices in how these groups have been treated. Continued Protection for Safety While modernizing the Act, it will still ensure clinicians have the necessary powers to admit and treat people if they pose a risk to themselves or others, maintaining safety as a priority. The original mental health act was in 1983. 'Outdated' is one way of putting it Much has changed in 41 years Read more below 👇 https://lnkd.in/ewe_qMyj

💗Thrilled to share a recent white paper with much thought and care from brilliant MDI colleagues (including Joseph Parks). More needs to be done to address mass violence in the U.S. The National Council for Mental Wellbeing Medical Director Institute just published a timely paper that challenges common misconceptions about the relationship between mental illness and mass violence and provides a broad range of recommendations that can help prevent mass violence incidents and better support people who are struggling. The key takeaways:  ⭐Most mass violence perpetrators do not have a major psychiatric disorder.   ⭐The overwhelming majority of people with diagnosable mental illnesses are not violent toward others.  ⭐Interventions known to be effective in understanding and preventing mass violence have not yet been widely adopted.   ⭐Mass violence is a community-wide problem that cannot be solved by any one organization or system alone. We all have a role to play in addressing mass violence. Download the full paper to learn more:

Good morning. Welcome to update #7 of Applied Police Briefings (appliedpolicebriefings.com). I can't think of any research team in Canada that has done more to understand police officer mental health than Nick Carleton and his colleagues. So, I was very thankful that some of their research could be highlighted in the first issue of APB. The brief was written by Matthew Fleischmann from McGill University and Zack Lair from Carleton University. The title of the brief is, Mental Health Disorder Symptoms Among Serving RCMP. Some key takeaways from the article: (1) Public safety personnel (PSP) are at an elevated risk of being diagnosed with one or more mental illnesses. The source article highlights the high susceptibility of RCMP officers to various mental illnesses. (2) The prevalence of mental illness among RCMP officers is higher than documented in previous research (64.7% vs. 50.2%) and various personal factors appear to be associated with heightened risk for mental illness. (3) This research highlights and emphasizes the need for additional evidence-based mental health supports for RCMP officers to enhance their well-being and safety. Kirk Luther and I would like to thank Nick Carleton for allowing his research to be highlighted in APB and for all the work he is doing to help our first responders deal with the many stressors they face. Please check out the brief here: https://lnkd.in/eEpRd4kZ National Police Federation/Fédération de la Police Nationale Royal Canadian Mounted Police | Gendarmerie royale du Canada Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police / Association canadienne des chefs de police

What resources are available to help someone experiencing a mental health crisis? Today we’re highlighting Carver County’s Mental Health Crisis Team: a 24/7 mobile and telephone crisis response service in Carver County, MN. Their primary goal is to provide immediate crisis intervention, early identification of mental health issues, and avoid out-of-home placements. What do they offer? - Crisis response services for both adults and children - Crisis response services for anyone within Carver County regardless of the County of residence - Services are provided regardless of ability to pay - The Crisis Team sees clients within numerous settings including Ridgeview Medical Center and Two Twelve Medical Center mental health clinics, medical clinics, police and sheriff's departments, jails, schools, nursing homes, family homes and community settings.  Their Mission Statement: Provide intense community based service as an alternative/prevention to a higher level of care. Stabilize the immediate crisis and help to restore a pre-crisis level of functioning.Promote resiliency, hope, as well as access to treatment and services Main access line for all services: 952-442-7601 Visit their website for more info: https://lnkd.in/gEUWpHBm #ResourceThursday #CrisisResources #MentalHealthAwareness

The fatal police shootings of Yong Yang in Los Angeles and Win Rozario in New York — after police were called to provide both with mental health assistance — are devastating, and all of us at Stop AAPI Hate send our deepest sympathy to their families. Their families are speaking out just as we mark National AANHPI Mental Health Day — a tragic reminder that mental health is a priority issue for Asians and Pacific Islanders in the U.S., and our calls for help should be met with support instead of brutal violence. AAPI communities are among the least likely to receive proper mental health care, and may reach out to the police because they don’t know where else to turn. There is an urgent need for public service agencies to provide in-language, culturally responsive, mental health care for people or families in distress, rather than sending in armed police officers who too often put people in even greater danger. As the killings of Yong Yang and Win Rozario heart-wrenchingly show, AAPIs are not immune to police violence. That’s why we must also reject the ongoing overreliance on policing, especially as police violence continues to disproportionately harm communities of color – including Black, Indigenous, Latino/e, Pacific Islander, Arab and Southeast Asian people.

The government has published its response to the Joint Committee on the draft Mental Health Bill. The following recommendations were rejected by government: * The creation of a statutory mental health commissioner * A new ‘responsible person’ for each health body to address bias and discrimination * The abolition of CTOs * Extending the tightened detention criteria to Part 3 patients * A new mechanism to extend section 2 detention for some people with learning disability and autism * Amending DoLS so that it cannot be used as an alternative route to the MHA * Amending the duty to implement CETR recommendations * A statutory test for “competency, or ‘child capacity’” for children * A pilot scheme for patients to appeal treatment decisions at the mental health tribunal * A Central Advocacy Service * A statutory right to request “culturally appropriate advocacy” * Replacing section 118 (on statutory principles) The Government, however, agreed the following: * To review the wording of the new detention criteria on “how soon” detention may occur * To consider if a 12-month review of CETRs was too long * To consider if the new “risk register” should be renamed “Dynamic Support Register” * To place a duty on on services to carry out activity in relation to Advance Care Documents * The need for greater clarity about holding powers in A&E departments  

The government's response to the Joint Committee on the draft Mental Health Bill has been published, outlining both accepted and rejected recommendations. Among the rejected recommendations are the creation of a statutory mental health commissioner, the abolition of CTOs, and extending detention criteria to Part 3 patients. Additionally, proposals for new mechanisms to extend section 2 detention for certain individuals, amending DoLS, and implementing CETR recommendations were turned down. However, the government has agreed to review the wording of detention criteria, consider shortening the review period for CETRs, and potentially renaming the "risk register" to "Dynamic Support Register." They also plan to impose a duty on services regarding Advance Care Documents and aim for greater clarity on holding powers in A&E departments. This response highlights areas of agreement and disagreement between the government and the Joint Committee, indicating ongoing dialogue and potential areas for further consideration and refinement in mental health legislation. #MentalHealthBill #GovernmentResponse #MentalHealthAdvocacy #PolicyDebate #MentalHealthCare #LegislationReview #HealthPolicy #AdvocacyMatters #MentalHealthRights #HealthcareReform #PolicyChange #PublicHealth #GovernmentDecisions #MTICBIAI #MyTraumaIsChronicButIAmIconic