Black Lives Matter’s Patrisse Cullors on the criminalization of mental illness
As another World Mental Health Day passes, I think of all the Montes of the world — Black men like my brother who deserve care, dignity, and healing, but who instead face harm, neglect, and criminalization. Last week, I spent a grueling and sleepless 48 hours trying to locate, support, and find my brother — who manages Schizoaffective disorder — adequate mental healthcare. My family and I have spent the last 20-plus years begging hospitals, court systems, elected officials, and law enforcement to change their treatment of people with severe mental illness. Read more…