This is a plea from a heartbroken parent whose daughter is suffering from severe mental health issues. My daughter was ordered by the Court to stay at a NON-SECURE program at Children's Village, without the mental health support her Doctors and previous therapist say is necessary. On March 8th, she escaped the fenced-in detention site to find a way to end her life by jumping off a nearby overpass. Despite our pleas for help and support, at her court hearing on the 11th, the Judge ordered she return to this same program.

This situation highlights an alarming issue in Michigan - lack of adequate mental health support for vulnerable children. According to data from National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), one in six U.S. youth aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year; yet many do not receive proper care due to systemic issues like these.

We are calling upon Michigan's Department of Health and Human Services and other relevant authorities to review their policies regarding child mental health services urgently. We need secure residential programs that prioritize children's well-being over bureaucratic convenience.

Our children deserve better than this - they deserve comprehensive care that addresses their needs effectively and compassionately. It's time we take action before more lives are put at risk.

Please sign this petition urging Michigan authorities to provide necessary mental health support for vulnerable children like my daughter.