Richard B. Nugent: “Each day more and more Americans are realizing that we need to take action to deal with mental health issues in this…”

“Each day more and more Americans are realizing that we need to take action to deal with mental health issues in this country. We need to make it a priority. My amendment, in keeping with that sentiment, would provide additional funding for programs under the Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Act and for Veterans Treatment Courts. {time} 1600 These are programs with proven track records of effectively addressing some of the important issues associated with mental health illnesses. My amendment would offset this increase by taking $4 million from the periodic censuses and programs account. Mr. Chairman, both of the programs that would receive an increase in funding under my amendment highlight the need for our justice and mental health systems to work together. As a former sheriff, I can tell you that cooperation is vital. If our justice and mental health systems are collaborating, we can provide more positive outcomes not only for those with mental health illnesses, but for our taxpayers as well. Grants provided under MIOTCRA are used, among other purposes, to set up mental health courts, for community reentry services, and for training State and local law enforcement officers to help identify and deescalate mental health crises, which saves the lives of both the mentally ill and of the responding officers. During my 37 years as a cop, I saw firsthand how our jails were becoming warehouses for people with mental health needs.…”