Civil Trial Starts In Fatal Police Shooting Of New York Veteran With Mental Health Issues
In regional news, budget cuts in Connecticut force mental health professionals to brace for more challenges to providing care. And Virginia says its pilot program to provide greater access to mental health services is too costly to continue.
The Associated Press:
Deadly Police Response To Medical Alert Focus Of Trial
When Kenneth Chamberlain Sr.’s medical alert pendant accidentally went off five years ago, the 68-year-old told police who showed up that he was fine, barred them from entering his apartment and repeatedly asked them to go away. They didn’t. That set off a tense, 90-minute standoff that ended with the mentally ill, former Marine, shot dead. (Hays, 11/6)
The CT Mirror:
‘There’s A Lot Of Anxiety:’ Mental Health System Braces For More Cuts
This fiscal year began with $55 million in cuts to the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and big questions about how they would be felt in a system that many say is already stretched to capacity. So far, many involved in the system say the impact has been mixed: Some agencies have been able to absorb reductions, while others have reduced hours, closed programs or laid off staff. (Levin Becker, 11/7)
Richmond Times Dispatch:
Virginia Switching Gears On Mental Health Structure, But Families Say They Need Help Now
The Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services has decided to abandon a pilot program that would have significantly expanded access to services for people seeking mental health help at eight of the state’s 40 public treatment centers, known as community services boards, or CSBs. The expansion was deemed too costly and ambitious. State officials instead are working on a plan to make changes at all 40 community services boards, saving money by spreading the reforms over the next decade. (Kleiner, 11/6)
