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In the past, there have been many cases where law enforcement failed to respond carefully and compassionately to mental health incidents. Some ended fatally when police didn’t recognize the symptoms of mental health episodes. As mental health issues within communities have increased over the past 40 years, inpatient services have decreased. Therefore, police departments have had to meet the growing needs of individuals suffering mental health emergencies. Police officers not only are the first responders to these crises, but often are the only source of immediate service for urgent mental health activities. It’s important that we address the significance of mental health training in law enforcement and increase collaboration between police and mental health professionals.
Since 2015, nearly a quarter of all people killed by police officers in America had a known mental illness. This is because these individuals are more likely to encounter law enforcement than medical assistance in times of crisis. A primary concern for officers is how to effectively de-escalate mental health incidents when appropriate procedures are unknown to them. So far, within their programs, law enforcement agencies have failed to include training involving recognizing mental health episodes and de-escalating the situation without force or violence. One tragic case involving Daniel Prude proves just how delicately the situation must be handled. Daniel, a 41-year old man, suffered a drug-induced mental breakdown. He was naked and roaming the streets of New York City when police confronted him. Officers handcuffed him and put a hood over his head, apparently to stop him from spitting at them. Three officers pinned him to the ground, and pressed his face into the pavement for two minutes while one officer pushed heavily on Prude's head. Prude stopped breathing and was taken off life support at a local hospital a week later. While the police may argue that there were no dangerous weapons involved, we can all agree that current restraining methods must be reformed. While these incidents are tragic, they have forced us to address this issue by considering ways to improve. Recognizing that there is a problem is a vital step in supporting both individuals and their families, as well as law enforcement in their response. It’s vital that all groups work collectively to spread awareness of the different types of mental illnesses, provide training to improve police response through collaboration, and, if possible, implement a team dedicated solely to crisis intervention for mental health episodes. This team would consist of mental health professionals who are unarmed and trained in de-escalation tactics. No weapons or hoods would be used - just the power of calm talk. For law enforcement, the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) model involves 40 hours of training led by mental health professionals. Its curriculum includes the signs and symptoms of mental illness, medications, de-escalation skills, and treatment options available in the community. With these changes, we can save innocent people’s lives and get them the help they need. Police officers should be able to recognize when someone is in need of intervention and act accordingly. References Westervelt, E. (2020). Mental health and police violence: How crisis intervention teams are failing. NPR. Retrieved from https://www.npr.org/2020/09/18/913229469/mental-health-and-police-violence-how-crisis-intervention-teams-are-failing Widgery, A. (2020). Increasing collaboration between police and mental health professionals. National Conference of State Legislatures. Retrieved from https://www.ncsl.org/blog/2019/12/17/increasing-collaboration-between-police-and-mental-health-professionals.aspx
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In the last year, crimes against Asian Americans have increased by nearly 150%. More than 3,800 hate incidents have been reported, with many flying under the radar. The main reason for this being that many victims are afraid to speak out due to language barriers and lack of resources to support them. The most recent attack took the lives of 8 individuals, 6 of them being Asian American women in Atlanta, Georgia. Many influential people have been utilizing their platforms to condemn these attacks, but this is not enough. The problem cannot be dealt with unless everyone starts the conversation about how we can stop the discrimination towards Asian Americans surrounding the pandemic.
The first step is to talk with friends and family members about the rise in hate crimes. Although you may not be directly affected by the incidents, it’s important to speak up about how you can help those in need. For example, try asking your family if there is any way you can donate to the families affected. Also, following support groups and communities on social media can give you helpful information on where to send resources and who to talk to. What’s great about these organizations is that they can bring about real change by starting petitions and organizing events to help push laws that can protect those in need. The recent killings of Asian women in Atlanta have sparked conversations within the justice system for stricter U.S. hate crime laws. Many are calling to pass laws that establish tougher penalties for crimes motivated by race and gender. There is also a need for uniformity in these laws as current laws differ by state. It’s shocking that as of now, three states - South Carolina, Arkansas, and Wyoming - have no hate crime laws. This needs to change. Right now more than ever, there’s a crucial need to support Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. Marita Etcubañez, senior director of strategic initiatives at Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC) states that we must “listen to the immediately impacted folks - the communities on the ground - and honor what they’re asking for, and what they’re saying they need.” Additionally, if you witness a hate crime or incident, it’s recommended that you speak out and intervene if possible. Many times, the victims can’t defend themselves and won’t report the incident. It’s also recommended to check in with your Asian American peers. They are very afraid right now, so any kind gesture could help tremendously. Many may assume that these crimes are a wave that comes and goes, but we need to see it as a deeply structural and cultural problem within the U.S. We must advocate for awareness everywhere we go, ranging from our friends and family to the workplace. We need to start the conversation now so that we can end this time of hate. References Layne, N. & Sullivan, A. (2021). Killings of Asian women renew push for tougher U.S. hate crime laws. MSN News. Retrieved from https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/killings-of-asian-women-renew-push-for-tougher-us-hate-crime-laws/ar-BB1eMhzD Ramachandran, V. (2021). What you can do to fight violence and racism against Asian Americans. PBS News Hour. Retrieved from https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/what-you-can-do-to-fight-violence-and-racism-against-asian-americans |
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