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NEW -Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police support mental health care reform!
"The people who truly need help cannot afford to wait another year – or another day. They deserve a more effective, less restrictive treatment option. It is long past time for the General Assembly to make real reform to Virginia’s mental illness treatment laws. Lip service reform would be shameful. " - Statement from TAC executive director, Kurt Entsminger on the need for reform in Virginia
SB 177 is the only bill currently in the General Assebly that would provide real reform to the mental health system. SB 177- a modified version of New York's Kendra's Law would allow outpatient intervention before someone is in crisis.
Information about SB 177 and the need for reform in Virginia during the 2008 legsilative session:
IN THE NEWS...
COLUMN The Washington Post columnist Marc Fisher writes about the Virginia Tech tragedy and recognizes that, "When Laws Create Barriers to Care, the Consequences Should Be No Surprise."
ARTICLE National Review editor Rich Lowry writes "Madness at Virginia Tech: Treating Insanity as Danger, Not Transgression."
EDITORIAL The Washington Post decries Virginia's overly restrictive treatment standard, explaining that Virginia "makes it impossibly hard to compel treatment" often leading to unnecessary criminalization.
EDITORIAL The Roanoke Times calls for a better treatment law and questions the wisdom of delaying care until a person is in crisis.
ARTICLE "When I first started," Fairfax Sheriff Stan G. Barry said, "it was very, very rare that someone who was clearly mentally ill ended up in jail. Over the years, I've watched that change drastically." Tom Jackman of the Washington Post details the consequences of Virginia's lack of treatment options.
| About AOT (assisted outpatient treatment) | Why Virginia needs to use AOT | Getting AOT for the person you love |
PRIMER ON AOT Assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) is a proven way to get help for people with severe mental illnesses - like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder - too ill to make informed treatment decisions. Get more information ...
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PRIMER ON AOT Virginia's outdated assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) law makes it nearly impossible for mental health professionals and families to help severely mentally ill people whose illness causes them to refuse treatment. Get more information ...
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HOW TO GET AOT USED Virginia has an outdated law, but with education and work, you can get your CSB or hospital to use it. Until the law is better, we have to work with what we have. Here are some places to start. Get more information ...
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| The latest on the law | What families face | How you can help |
UPDATE The Senate Education & Health Committee held a hearing on SB 808 January 18, 2007. The bill passed through the committee unanimously. Get more information ...
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HELPFUL RESOURCE If you are a family member, start with a special issue of our newsletter dedicated to helping you. Get more information ...
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WE NEED YOU People often ask where they can start in trying to change, implement, or publicize their state's mental illness treatment law. These materials may help - remember to also explore the rest of our website for more information. Get more information ...
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| VIRGINIA
LINKS Virginia legislators Virginia newspapers |
EDITORIAL The Washington Post decries Virginia's overly restrictive treatment standard, explaining that Virginia "makes it impossibly hard to compel treatment" often leading to unnecessary criminalization.
EDITORIAL The Roanoke Times calls for a better treatment law and questions the wisdom of delaying care until a person is in crisis.
ARTICLE "When I first started," Fairfax Sheriff Stan G. Barry said, "it was very, very rare that someone who was clearly mentally ill ended up in jail. Over the years, I've watched that change drastically." Tom Jackman of the Washington Post details the consequences of Virginia's lack of treatment options.
LETTER Virginia's mental health system cries for reform.
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