Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2022
Abstract
This Article explores tragedies caused by our current system for responding to mental health emergencies: homelessness, institutionalization, criminalization, harm to self, harm to others, and harm by police. In the wake of the George Floyd murder, there has been increased attention on our response to mental health emergencies and an outcry to reduce the role of police. This Article analyzes reforms from California, Colorado, Eugene, Oregon, the federal government, Dallas, and Nebraska. This Article posits that any reform that focuses only on first responders will not fix our system. Harm by police is only one of the tragedies suffered by people with SMI. It is dangerous to myopically focus on preventing interaction with police without addressing what transpires after interactions with first responders and whether there is adequate intervention, care, and stabilization.
Recommended Citation
Judy Clausen & Joanmarie Davoli, No-One Receives Psychiatric Treatment in a Squad Car, 52 Tex. Tech L. Rev. 645 (2022).
Included in
Criminal Procedure Commons, Law and Psychology Commons, Medical Jurisprudence Commons, Social Welfare Law Commons, State and Local Government Law Commons