Did you know that individuals with mental illnesses are more likely to be victims of crimes than the general population? Unfortunately, first responders such as police officers, EMTs, and firefighters aren't always equipped with the necessary training to appropriately handle these situations. This can lead to misunderstandings and dangerous outcomes for both the mentally ill and first responders. To prevent these situations, it's crucial that the government requires further training for safe negotiations between these groups. Let's work together to ensure that everyone is protected and receives the care they need.

This might not seem like a big issue to you. You could be thinking what will increased training even do? Let me start by sharing where we are at now. My dad is afflicted by Bipolar disease. While going through a manic episode he ended up living on the streets for a period. During this time he was arrested. He remained on parole for many years afterward because of this arrest. If first responders were better trained to deal with individuals like my father he might not have ended up on the streets at all. This law is likely to increase awareness among the public as well. Maybe someone would have called in a strange man acting erratically and he could have gone to a facility equipped to cope with his eccentricities. But there's no need to dwell in the past. Let's instead focus on the future.