We are working to get more information and will let you know as soon as we have it. The list of issues that are expected to be taken up in the Governor’s special session in the coming weeks also includes assisted outpatient treatment. Our reporter Lisa Muñoz is here with us live with what this means for New Mexicans. Alyssa. Yeah, Shelley and Ron, assisted outpatient treatment is court-mandated treatment to reduce hospitalization and incarceration for people battling mental illness and drug addiction. This law would allow people on the list, including parents and licensed professionals, to file a petition in district court and request that someone be put in treatment. It would also allow police officers to have them receive treatment in a facility rather than charging them with a misdemeanor. The president of the police union says this is a step in the right direction. I think it’s a good idea to have some kind of court order to insist that treatment is taking place. That being said, I don’t think outpatient treatment is necessarily aggressive enough. I mean, when we’re dealing with this issue on a regular basis, we’re dealing with individuals with serious substance abuse issues. Those issues have been substance abuse for years. And now we have issues with mental illness. Treatments available to patients range from medication and training to a supervised living environment.
New Mexico courts may allow people to receive mental health treatment
The governor’s proposal would allow people on the list, including parents, licensed professionals and police officers, to file petitions in local courts.
Updated: June 10, 2024, 10:16 PM MDT
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is expected to tackle mental health issues during the special session in the coming weeks, including a bill to make treatment available. The Outpatient Treatment Assistance Act is court-ordered treatment to reduce hospitalization and incarceration for people battling mental illness and drug addiction. STAY UP TO DATE: Latest headlines from KOAT Action 7 News The governor’s proposal would allow a list of people, including parents, licensed professionals and police officers, to petition local courts to require someone to provide treatment. “It doesn’t work to hold yourself back and just wait for people to make the right decision and get the help they feel they need,” said Sean Willoughby, president of the Albuquerque Police Officers Association. “From a law enforcement perspective, you’re dealing with individuals who have repeated contact with law enforcement, whether they’ve engaged in illegal activity or not, whether they have substance abuse issues or not. Parents are worried and they’re not getting the help they need.” The Outpatient Treatment Assistance proposal would also allow police officers to take patients to a center instead of charging them with a misdemeanor. “I think it’s a good idea to have some kind of court order that asserts that treatment is taking place. That being said, I don’t think outpatient treatment is necessarily aggressive. So, when we deal with this on a regular basis, we’re dealing with individuals who have serious substance abuse issues. And that led to years of substance abuse and now they have mental health issues,” Willoughby said. The treatment patients can receive ranges from medication, training, or a supervised living environment. According to the Treatment Assistance Center, data shows that receiving treatment reduces incarceration for 87% of women and reduces homelessness for 74% of men. To qualify for this treatment, individuals must prove they are over 18, have a mental health diagnosis, or have a history of non-compliance with treatment. Follow us on social media: Facebook | X/Twitter | Instagram | YouTube But Willoughby said the bill would be difficult to pass. “I would love for the Legislature to step outside of political ideology and really take the time to look at what’s going on in the community, and if this isn’t the answer, then what is the answer, let’s figure out what the answer is, because there are so many people in this state who need help,” Willoughby said. If the bill passes, the governor hopes to have the treatment piloted in all jurisdictions by July 2025. If you or someone you know needs help, you can call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat online here.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham plans to address mental health issues during a special session in the coming weeks, including legislation to make treatment more accessible.
Assisted outpatient treatment is court-ordered treatment to reduce hospitalization and incarceration for people with mental illness or battling drug addiction.
Keep up to date: Latest headlines from KOAT Action 7 News
The governor’s proposal would allow people on the list, including parents, licensed professionals and police officers, to file petitions in local courts to require someone to receive treatment.
“Just holding back and waiting for people to make the right decision and get the help they feel they need voluntarily is not going to work,” said Sean Willoughby, president of the Albuquerque Police Officers Association. “From a law enforcement perspective, we’re dealing with individuals who are repeatedly in contact with law enforcement, whether they’ve engaged in illegal activity or not, whether they have substance abuse issues or not, and parents are worried and not getting the help they need.”
The outpatient assisted treatment proposal would also allow police officers to take patients to a center instead of filing charges for minor offenses.
“I think it’s a good idea to have some kind of court order that insists treatment is taking place. That being said, I don’t think outpatient treatment is necessarily proactive. So when we’re dealing with this on a regular basis, we’re dealing with individuals who have had serious substance abuse issues, and that has deteriorated into years of substance abuse and now they have mental health issues,” Willoughby said.
The treatment available to patients ranges from medication, training and a supervised living environment.
According to the Treatment Advocacy Center, 87% of women who receive treatment experience a reduction in incarceration, and 74% of men experience a reduction in homelessness. To qualify for treatment, people must prove they are over 18, have a diagnosed mental disorder, or have a history of non-compliance with treatment.
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But Willoughby said the bill would be difficult to pass.
“I hope the Legislature will step outside of political ideology and actually take the time to look at what’s going on locally, and if this isn’t the answer, then let’s work to find out what is, because there are a lot of people in this state that need help,” Willoughby said.
If the bill passes, the governor hopes to have the treatment piloted in all jurisdictions by July 2025.
If you or someone you know needs help, call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline on 988 or Chat online here.
