Virginia needs more than lip-service reform

A statement from TAC's executive director- Kurt Entsminger:

"Virginia’s mental illness treatment laws are among the most restrictive in the nation. To get help via involuntary commitment, the state requires someone obviously incapacitated by the symptoms of an illness like schizophrenia to be an immediate physical danger to themselves or others.

Last April, the failures of Virginia’s treatment laws stunned the nation, and the General Assembly finally began to pay attention. The result is literally dozens of commitment law bills now under discussion.

Unfortunately, the majority of the proposed bills only marginally change Virginia’s antiquated laws. They will give legislators a photo op and a warm feeling, but will not bring real help to the people who most need it.

People who are clearly psychotic and dangerous to themselves or others should get mental illness treatment. But Virginia needs to do better. Virginia needs a law like Kendra’s Law, and must also allow outpatient intervention before someone is in crisis." read more...