[Enews] NYC Hearing Reveals Overwhelming Support for Kendra's Law

[Enews at naminys.org]

Hearing Reveals Overwhelming Support for Kendra's Law

 

Manhattan, April 8, 2005 - A hearing by the state Assembly Standing Committee on Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities today revealed overwhelming support for Kendra's Law, which enables mental health professionals to provide court-ordered treatment for persons with psychiatric disabilities.

 

Named for Kendra Webdale, a young woman who was pushed in front of a subway train by a man with severe mental illness who was not taking medications, Kendra's Law was enacted in 1999 for a five-year trial period that expires June 30th.

 

Most of the 40 or so individuals who testified in the hearing said Kendra's Law works well and should be renewed. Many called for it to be made permanent.

 

New York City Executive Deputy Commissioner for Mental Health Lloyd Sederer said Assisted Outpatient Treatment, which Kendra's Law provides for, has been successful "in every critical category," reducing homelessness, incarceration rates and hospitalization rates for persons with serious and persistent mental illness.

 

Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) is provided for individuals whose mental illnesses are so severe that they cannot survive in the community without outgoing treatment, but must have assistance to maintain that treatment.

 

Joyce B. Wale, Senior Assistant Vice President, New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation, which provides AOT, said the clinical outcomes of individual cases definitely improve under AOT. She also said recent studies, including one in the North Bronx, said most individuals in AOT have positive attitude about it.

 

"As a forensic psychiatrist, I can attest that AOT is viewed as an efficacious alternative to incarceration," said Dr. Antonio Abad, President of the Association of Hispanic Mental Health Professionals. "Many AOT patients have informed staff and judge alike 'AOT was the glue that kept them together,' attributing AOT to helping transform their lives."

 

According to National Alliance for the Mentally Ill - New York State Executive Director J. David Seay, most of those who need AOT have a symptom of psychiatric disorders called "anosognosia" that prevents them from understanding they are ill.

 

"Before the law was enacted, those with the most severe psychiatric disabilities were relegated to the streets, hospitals, jails and prisons, the homeless shelters and the cemetery," Mr. Seay said. "Five years of experience has proven the law's worthiness. We believe it should be strengthened in certain areas, but the bottom line is that it should be permanent, and it should be enacted before June 30th, in order not to disrupt the lives of those who receiving Assisted Outpatient Treatment and their families."

 

 NAMI-NYS represents the families of persons with mental illness throughout the state.

 

Individuals whose loved ones are in AOT also spoke.

 

"My son takes his AOT program and its court order very seriously. It is the only thing that has worked with him and has made him compliant with his prescribed medications. With this program my son has had fewer hospitalizations. Without this program and the mandate it represents my son would be a danger to himself and others, " Janet Bachant said. "The AOT program is the only hope my son, and others like him, have to address their unique needs. Without it, the nightmare of severe mental illness could be much worse."

 

"AOT not only gives hope to consumers and their families, it is a powerful tool for professionals in the mental health system who were helpless without it," Arlene Steinberg said. "Because of Kendra's Law, if my son starts to deteriorate again, we know that the system will take his illness seriously."

 

"I wouldn't know who would be against it," said Edgar Rivera, who lost both his legs after being pushed in front of a subway train by a person with severe mental illness shortly after Kendra Webdale was killed. "I know of no other law that addresses the two-fold issue of compassionate treatment and public safety. Before Kendra's Law there were no safety nets, no oversight, no tools for people who have mental illness to reassemble their lives. AOT is a firm foundation to build on and I hope the Office of Mental Health can tweak it until it is the most effective. It's AOT or tragedy."

 

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