Mental Health in America: The Intersection of Mental Health and Justice

Episode 121

Podcast Updated:   January 12, 2023 Read time:
Projects: Mental Health and Justice Partnerships

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Mental Health in America: The Intersection of Mental Health and Justice
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Stat: 2 million: The number of times each year that people with mental health conditions—including bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and severe depression—are jailed, often for misdemeanor crimes.

Story: Personnel from America’s emergency response systems are on the front lines answering calls from individuals experiencing mental health crises. In this episode of “Mental Health in America,” Julie Wertheimer, project director for Pew’s work on mental health and justice partnerships, discusses the current state of these response systems and their impact on our criminal justice system. Joseph Getch, CEO of PRS, a Virginia nonprofit that provides behavioral health services, and B.J. Wagner, senior vice president of health and public safety with the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute share how 988 and local 911 efforts are working to protect public safety while connecting people to the care they need. 

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Podcast Updated:   January 12, 2023
Projects: Mental Health and Justice Partnerships
Topics: Health Care
Tags: Mental health
Experts: Julie Wertheimer, Joseph Getch & B.J. Wagner
Places: United States

After the Fact

'After the Fact' Guests
Julie Wertheimer
Julie Wertheimer Project Director
Mental Health and Justice Partnerships
Joseph Getch
Joseph Getch Chief Executive Officer
PRS, Inc.
B.J. Wagner Senior Vice President of Health and Public Safety
Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute

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Mental Health in America

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In a new season of Pew’s “After the Fact” podcast, we explore the state of mental health in America, how the national conversation on this important subject is changing, and approaches by communities to address this burgeoning crisis.

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