Severe Mental Illness: Are Policies Helping or Hurting Those in Need?

The dangers and plight of those with severe mental illness typically grab headline attention after tragedies like mass shootings. As time passes, however, attention fades as the public struggles to deal with the complexities of the issue. In 2016, an estimated 10.4 million adults in the United States suffered from severe mental illnesses, and an estimated 1 in 5 in homeless shelters as well as 20 percent of those in jail or prison also were classified as having a severe mental illness. It is vitally important to understand, not only the medical condition and the legal challenges involved, but also to determine what policies can be helpful or hurtful. Join us as a panel of experts explores these issues and offers their perspectives on how best to help those facing the challenges of severe mental illness.