The Justice Department has acknowledged a disparity in the response to mental health crises, particularly in instances where police are the primary responders. The acknowledgment follows a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) on behalf of Bread for the City, a D.C.-based nonprofit. The lawsuit contends that individuals experiencing mental health crises are subject to discrimination due to the predominant reliance on law enforcement for assistance.
In cases where individuals with mental health conditions seek help, the standard response often involves law enforcement, a situation deemed discriminatory by the ACLU. The Justice Department, in concurrence with the ACLU’s stance, emphasized that relying on a potentially harmful law enforcement response may deny people with mental health disabilities an equal opportunity to benefit from essential public services.
Tracy Knight, a veteran in social services at Bread for the City, expressed concern over the traumatic impact of handcuffing individuals during mental health crises. The nonprofit, celebrating its 50th anniversary, provides various services, including clothing, legal aid, and medical assistance. However, the disconnect with proper care emerges when individuals visit during mental health crises, leading to distress for both the person seeking help and the providers.
Despite progress in reducing the stigma surrounding mental health, the lawsuit argues that law enforcement remains the default responder in cases of severe mental distress. The ACLU lawsuit suggests that police involvement in mental health calls perpetuates the presumption that individuals with psychiatric disabilities are dangerous to themselves and others.
While initiatives like the Integrating Communications, Assessment, and Tactics (ICAT) training program aim to equip police officers with tools to address mental health issues empathetically, critics argue that fundamental change is necessary. The program, to be taught to all sworn members of D.C.’s police department, emphasizes empathy and care but falls short of resolving the inherent challenges.
Bread for the City attempts to address this issue by contacting the police department’s community response team, the CRT, consisting of unarmed clinicians and counselors. However, the limited number of CRT members, approximately 44, hinders their ability to respond to the majority of 911 calls involving mental health crises.
The ACLU lawsuit sheds light on the urgent need for a comprehensive and effective approach to mental health crises, moving beyond slogans and rhetoric. It underscores the call for leaders at the national level to initiate changes that ensure equitable and compassionate responses for individuals facing mental health challenges.