A man in Missouri has been waiting for mental health services for over 469 days while locked up on felony drug charges. He has not been convicted; he’s deemed incompetent to stand trial. His case is stuck until he can receive the necessary evaluation and treatment, which can only happen when a bed opens up in a psychiatric hospital.
Sarah Boyd from the Clay County Sheriff’s Office shared that it took 75 days just to get a court-ordered mental health evaluation. The right to a speedy trial, as stated in the Sixth Amendment, seems to be overlooked in this situation.
In September, around 487 people in Missouri waited for a psychiatric bed—an increase of nearly 88% since last year. This is the highest number recorded. These statistics include those already receiving some mental health services either in jail or out on bond.
In response to the growing waitlist, Missouri lawmakers authorized jail-based competency programs in 2023, aiming to help those stuck in this cycle. However, even with these new programs, there’s still a long way to go. Only 12 out of 52 participants in a pilot program have successfully achieved competency.
Dr. Jeanette Simmons from the state mental health department pointed out that the increasing number of requests for evaluations is a significant factor in the growing waitlist. More people are found incompetent, and the demand for mental health resources continues to rise.
Efforts are underway, including mobile teams that provide in-person support to those waiting in jail. Last year, 117 people gained competency through their work, which highlights the necessity of immediate support even in difficult circumstances.
Sheriffs across the state have differing views on how to handle mental health needs in jails. Greene County Sheriff Jim Arnott opted out of the pilot program due to concerns about treating mentally ill individuals in a jail setting. Meanwhile, some rural counties are partnering with local organizations to provide the necessary mental health treatments.
Critics argue that jails are not appropriate places for mental health care. Dr. Paula Oldeg noted that without treatment, individuals could suffer both mentally and physically. An alarming incident occurred earlier this year when a man died in jail after waiting months for treatment and began to harm himself.
Overall, these circumstances urge a discussion on how Illinois handles mental health within the criminal justice system. As the waitlist grows, so does the need for immediate action and improvement in mental health services.
For further details on Missouri’s mental health care initiatives, visit the Missouri Independent.
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Missouri, Steph Quinn, News
