I have been interested in public policy regarding people with disabilities and people with mental illnesses for a long time now. The way we treat (or more specifically, do not treat) some of the most vulnerable people in our population is appalling on so many levels. One program that has been wildly successful in New York State in treating people with severe mental illness and allowing them to safely live in the community would also be successful in Washington State: assisted outpatient treatment. Below is the letter that I sent to my state senators and representatives. You can find who yours are by going to the Washington State Legislature website and clicking on the tab "Find Your District". If you select the option to send a message to one of them, a checkbox will let you send the same message to the other two state elected officials who represent you. You can just fill in the blanks on my letter or send your own. Thank you for helping me with my cause.
Dear Senator ________, Representative ________, and Representative ________:
The recent mass shootings in Seattle, Clackamas, Sandy Hook, and many other places have brought mental health care into the public consciousness not only as an issue of welfare but as an issue of public safety. The time is now to make real, constructive changes in the way we as a society and a state care for citizens with severe mental illnesses. Assisted outpatient treatment is a program that has been extremely successful in New York State since it was introduced in 1999; the evidence suggests that a similar program in Washington State would reduce homelessness, improve relationships between social workers and clients, and allow more people with severe mental illness to safely live in the community. In addition, if even one mass shooting tragedy could be prevented by assisted outpatient treatment for people with severe mental illness, the program would be worth implementation.
Kendra's Law was passed in New York State after a woman named Kendra Webdale was killed and another man was severely maimed by people with untreated severe mental illnesses in 1999. The program allows for a court to order an adult with a mental illness who has been assessed as unlikely be safe in the community to attend mandatory outpatient treatment. The person must have a history of noncompliance with treatment and multiple recent incarcerations in either a psychiatric hospital or the justice system. A history of recent violent threats to self or others might also make someone a candidate for the program. The treatment is tailored to each patient's needs and would not necessarily include medication. A copy of the original bill can be found here: http://www.omh.ny.gov/omhweb/kendra_web/interimreport/appendix1.htm. The law as it stands today can be found here: http://codes.lp.findlaw.com/nycode/MHY/B/9/9.60.
The 2005 report on the program's outcomes in New York State is available here: http://www.omh.ny.gov/omhweb/kendra_web/finalreport/. This study found that, among other things, recipients of outpatient treatment were 87% less likely to be incarcerated, 74% less likely to be hospitalized in a psychiatric facility, and 74% less likely to be homeless during treatment. Perhaps more important from a moral standpoint is that 81% of recipients reported that being required to participate in treatment "helped them to get and stay well" and 75% said it helped them "gain control over their lives." The participants were also much more likely to receive other social programs such as housing support and case management.
The 2009 report on the program was conducted by professors from the Duke University School of Medicine, Policy Research Associates, and the University of Virginia School of Law. It found more modest improvements in the same areas: http://www.macarthur.virginia.edu/aot_finalreport.pdf.
As an employee of ________, I see the positive impact of well-researched social programs on our society. I look forward to hearing your ideas about drafting a bill that creates an assisted outpatient treatment program in our state.
Sincerely,
Bethylene
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