Issue Position: Write Sensible Mental Health Laws

Issue Position

As a social worker and mental health professional with over 30 years of experience, I am acutely aware that neurological disorders are widely misunderstood. I also recognize that New Jersey does not have adequate laws to address the needs of people with mental illness or to help their families,

For example, in 2011 the state indefinitely delayed implementation of a law that would give families a greater say about whether their mentally ill loved ones may be ordered to receive outpatient treatment.

The "involuntary outpatient commitment" law would allow families to seek a court order to force mentally ill people to attend outpatient treatment programs if a licensed mental health professional deems them to be a risk to themselves or others. This law would also expand treatment services for the mentally ill.

New Jersey put this law on a shelf for purely budgetary reasons. As a state Senator, I would work diligently with other lawmakers to find the necessary money to implement it.

At present, New Jersey's involuntary commitment law only allows someone suffering from a neurological episode to be hospitalized for up to 72 hours to be stabilized on medications.

This is woefully insufficient because it can take up to three weeks for physicians to learn what combination of medications work best for a particular person. I would create legislation to rectify this clear inadequacy.

As your next state Senator, I would partner with other mental health professionals, advocacy groups, care-providers and families to create an effective awareness campaign to advance public understanding of mental illnesses.

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