This is a critical issue of our time. We desperately need hospitals and assisted living centers with skilled doctors, nurses and humane care for the seriously and chronically mentally ill.
Thank you @AthenaAnkrah and @amysilvermanaz for capturing our harrowing and nightmarish story in the most beautiful way possible. To my brother and my babies…I love you more than everything. ❤️
I prayed so hard that my brother would receive appropriate care at our State Hospital. Instead he got arrested and thrown in jail. Our State hospital is in no condition to treat or care for those with autism or serious mental illness.
@willhumble_az@amysilvermanaz@AthenaAnkrah@kjzzphoenix I so badly wish things would have ended up differently for my brother, Darren. ASH in its current condition is no place for those with serious mental illness and or autism. It’s shown to have devastating and catastrophic consequences.
@Josh_Mozell Evelia is amazing and so strong. It’s such a hard thing to stand up there and talk about how sick your child is. She spoke with so much strength and grace. Brought so many of us to tears.
Yesterday we testified on secure residential - something ACMI has been working on for 7 years. I got to testify with one of my favorite people - Evelia Davis too. Result: through HHS unanimously. I’m very appreciative to Senator Werner for sponsoring this year.
“Nearly half of incarcerated Americans have a history of mental illness.”
This fact underscores the urgent need for better mental health support and reform within our broken system. #SMITwitter
https://t.co/wM1MyPt8uX
“Nearly half of incarcerated Americans have a history of mental illness.”
This fact underscores the urgent need for better mental health support and reform within our broken system. #SMITwitter
https://t.co/wM1MyPt8uX
Something has to give….our loved ones deserve so much better than the streets, jails, prisons or death. These bills help pave the way for better treatment and accountability of the agencies that are failing to treat our loved ones while making millions of dollars off of them.
@abales As a mother of two sons with severe autism, I GET IT! We’ve been shamed and asked to leave several public places due to their “weird and disruptive” vocal sounds! I’m so sorry you had that experience!
@Beth_Goulden What’s disgusting is this man got a lighter sentence than my autistic mentally ill brother who assaulted a BHT while a patient at ASH while in psychosis. My brother remains in jail to this day! Those that deserve a level of mercy never seem to receive it.
@JakeHoffmanAZ@GeeslingMatthew@willhumble_az When you vote again…I want you to think of my brother’s face…think of who you are helping to fail should you vote against the bill again! You will undoubtedly be apart of the why my brother and others will suffer…I will pray for your heart to do the right thing.
My brother Darren was supposed to get help @ ASH. Instead he was abused,taunted,arrested & sits in jail. Mike Chavez didn't deserve to die by choking to death on a burrito while on a 1:1. This treatment will continue to happen until our legislators value our SMI loved ones lives.
@AZDavidGowan This is who you fail when you keep creating ASH bills that you openly admit according to @JakeHoffmanAZ :
“This bill makes compromises in the name of “getting it signed” that aren’t worth making. The bill sponsor admitted as much to me on the floor today”
My mentally ill brother is still in jail after being arrested at ASH for their inadequate care…I’ve been screaming for change…but not ONCE has Gowan or any other Senator asked me or others what really goes on inside the hospital.
@GeeslingMatthew@SommerMutter@willhumble_az The bill has problems and cedes far too much power to Katie Hobbs.
Doing “something” just to do something isn’t good for Arizonans
We have to do “something” right
@JakeHoffmanAZ@GeeslingMatthew@willhumble_az Perhaps Gowan should have talked to the families/guardians who have had their loved ones die or be sent to jail from ASH to create a solid and effective bill to protect people like my brother.