USA Today (4/9, Kucinich) reports, “Mental health advocates, heartened when their cause took center stage in the wake of the mass shooting in Newtown, Conn., are now looking past the gun debate with the hope of having a more positive discussion about the issue.” That’s because “the focus [has been] primarily on how to prevent mentally ill people from obtaining weapons rather than improving care.” To urge a new focus, “the VERA Institute of Justice issued a policy paper warning that mental health should be dealt with as a public health issue, rather than a criminal justice issue.” And “Congressional advocates of expanding mental health said Tuesday that…the push to make changes to the mental health issue would continue.” In addition, the President’s budget proposes “$235 million for new mental health programs.”
Related Links:
— “Mental health advocates worry about gun legislation, “Jackie Kucinich, USA Today, April 9, 2013.