|
View in web browser |
 |
After the Fact
Mental Health in America: The Intersection of Mental Health and Justice
| | |
|
On average in America, people with mental health conditions are jailed more than 2 million times each year, often for misdemeanor crimes. In this episode of "After the Fact," we explore what happens when mental health crises arise in communities, and how emergency response centers, such as the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, offer alternatives to connect people with care.
We hear from Julie Wertheimer, project director for Pew's work on mental health and justice partnerships, who shares solutions that help address public safety concerns while also providing appropriate behavioral health care. We also speak with B.J. Wagner from Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute and Joseph Getch, CEO of behavioral health nonprofit PRS Inc., about the current state of our response systems and resources for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis.
Content warning: This episode discusses sensitive issues including suicide and addiction. If you or someone you know needs help, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. |
|
| | |
|
QUOTES OF NOTE |
|
"My hopes for improving mental health care are to make it more readily accessible, rather than requiring contact with the justice system." |
|
—Julie Wertheimer, project director, public safety performance and mental health and justice partnerships, The Pew Charitable Trusts |
|
"When communities are proud of their program, it becomes a very good model for public safety alternative responses." |
|
—B.J. Wagner, senior vice president of health and public safety, Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute | | | | |
|
|
|
|
Mental health by the numbers |
2 million: The number of times each year that people with mental health conditions—including bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and severe depression—are jailed, often for misdemeanor crimes.
25%: In 2015, 1 in 4 people in fatal police encounters the prior year suffered from mental distress, according to a report by the Treatment Advocacy Center.
24 million: The emergency 988 lifeline will receive 24 million calls, texts, and online chat requests annually by 2027, according to Vibrant Emotional Health estimates.
60%: According to 2021 data from The Pew Charitable Trusts, 17 of 28 call centers—more than 60%—in predominantly White areas did not have behavioral health crisis-trained dispatchers available.
20%: After the implementation of the multi-disciplinary response teams alternative model in Dallas, areas served saw a 20% decrease in mental health-related admissions to emergency rooms. | | |
|
Next on "Mental Health in America" |
|
In the final episode of "Mental Health in America," we explore the increasingly important role of expanding public health initiatives to include mental health care. We'll hear from experts about challenges in creating an equitable health care system and how leaders from Indigenous and immigrant communities are addressing the growing demand for behavioral health services. | | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
