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I'm writing you this article because I was disturbed by recent incidents involving the lack of protection of the mentally ill's safety. Recently on the news, two incidents involving the NYPD and mentally ill individuals ended in mentally ill being brutally shot for no apparent reason. Because of the NYPD's lack of understanding on handling the mentally ill individuals' unstable behavior, and the decision to take unnecessary force( instead of bringing in a mental health crisis team that specializes in interacting with the mentally ill which would have recommended special services or intervention for the protection of the mentally ill's safety, two mentally ill individuals were needlessly killed.
I feel the NYPD should be trained more in how to handle situations involving an unstable mentally ill individual, as opposed to the aforementioned incidents, in which the NYPD took action too quickly, using lethal force instead of taking a different approach. It is not true that an unstable individual is always considered dangerous. Most of the time, he or she is simply a crying for help and is in need to be stabilized. That's why mental health crisis teams and public servants should take situations like this extremely seriously. The mentally ill individual should feel safe and protected in the community. We shouldn't have to be looking over our shoulders and feeling frightened, especially of the NYPD, who are supposed to protect and serve all members of the public..
This is an issue which should be taken very seriously. The mentally ill have rights, most of all the right to feel safe and protected from harm. Because we are very vulnerable and our well-being can be extinguished in a brutal lethal situation.
As for the NYPD, they should converse with the Alliance of the Mentally Ill and be enlightened in handling situations. The mental health community deserves protection so it can live productive lives in a safe environment. The mentally ill's well-being shouldn't be disrupted. So let's all pull together as a community and advocate for our protection and well-being. So we can live happily and be content, and be able to deal with our lifelong struggle with mental illness safely, instead of our lives being cut short in a brutal fashion. Because we are important individuals too, who want to enjoy life and happiness in a strong manner. I hope this story will be taken to heart, and and receive strong acknowledgment.