Demand that people with serious mental illness be treated with respect.
Why is this important?
When my daughter Sophie, who struggles with bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder turned 18, I lost the right to talk with her doctors and help her make treatment decisions. I chronicle my story in "Surrounded By Madness: A Memoir of Mental Illness and Family Secrets." Sophie spiraled out of control, is addicted to meth, and lives on the streets, when she's not in jail.
Our mental health system is in shambles.
H.R. 3717 would enable parents to help when their adult child is in crisis, treat patients in the least restrictive environment, and make assisted outpatient treatment programs an alternative to jails and prisons.
