It's Time to Change Tennessee's Mental Health Laws!: An ever hopeful mom ...
This mother is ever hopeful
that someday soon the severe and persistent mentally ill may receive timely
treatment and that lack of insight (anosognosia) will trump the "civil
rights" argument that currently prevents many from receiving this life
saving intervention.
Over my 7 years of
advocacy, I have discovered Important Truth #1 critical to making this
happen:
We ALL must accept the full
extent of the dependency needs of these chronically ill patients and that
requires ... funding.
Which brings me to
Important Truth #2:
Taking a proactive stance
costs a whole lot less in the long run that taking a reactive one.
Treatment instead of jail.Treatment instead of living on the streets.Treatment before tragedy.Let's make treatment accessible for all by improving our laws - not just for some with mental health issues - but for the folks considered the least of these by our society, the severe and persistent mentally ill.Let's pass a statewide AOT law in Tennessee, sooner rather than later.
Because later is too late.
Which brings me to
Important Truth #2: Taking a proactive stance costs a whole lot less in
the long run that taking a reactive one.
Treatment instead of jail.Treatment instead of living on the streets.Treatment before tragedy.
Let's make treatment accessible for all by improving our laws - not just for some with mental health issues - but for the folks considered the least of these by our society, the severe and persistent mentally ill.
Let's pass a statewide AOT law in Tennessee, sooner rather than later.
Because later is too late.
