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Your Call

California Assembly expands conservatorship for people with severe mental illness

Photo by Alex Proimos / Used Under CC
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Wikimedia

 A controversial conservatorship bill passed by California's Assembly would give county officials more authority to force people with mental illnesses and substance abuse issues into treatment or put them in the care of a guardian.

Supporters say people with mental illnesses shouldn’t die on the street, untreated. Opponents argue changing the law would deny individuals their rights and increase the number of individuals forced into treatment. Where do you stand?

Guests:

Jennifer Friedenbach, executive director of the Coalition on Homelessness, San Francisco

Teresa Pasquini,advocate for reforming and improving the mental health system and co-founder of Mental Illness FACTS

John Snook, executive director of the Treatment Advocacy Center

Web Resources:

SB-1045 Conservatorship: serious mental illness and substance use disorders

Treatment Advocacy Center: STATE STANDARDS FOR ASSISTED TREATMENT

Mental Illness FACTS- Family And Consumer True Stories

Coalition on Homelessness

The Sacramento Bee: Mentally ill Californians shouldn’t die on the street, untreated. The law must change

 

Rose Aguilar has been the host of Your Call since 2006. She became a regular media roundtable guest in 2001. In 2019, the San Francisco Press Club named Your Call the best public affairs program. In 2017, The Nation named it the most valuable local radio show.