Description

Session Description

The deinstitutionalization of mental health has historically lacked adequate support and resources for individuals living with mental illnesses, exacerbating instances of mental health crises in outpatient and community settings. The trans-institutionalization of mental illness has locked people in a cycle of recidivism and violence by not addressing upstream factors and lacking adequate safety nets. This session will discuss the shortcomings of our current paradigm, including police responding to mental health crises, and the need for community response teams. We will explore how investing in community resources can promote harm reduction. Through examining case studies, attendees will challenge current models and discuss how to improve mental health outreach in our communities.

Session Takeaways

• Attendees will learn a historical overview of the criminalization of mental illness and the shortcomings of a police and criminal-legal response to mental health crises.
  
  
• Attendees will learn about different paradigms that exist in the USA to address mental health crises in the community.
  
  
• Attendees will learn how addressing upstream factors for someone in a mental health crisis is harm reduction.

Ideal Audience Description

This session is ideal for people who are interested in learning more about the trans-institutionalization of mental illness and how we can utilize community-led organizations to provide a dignified response to people in acute mental health crises.