STOP INADEQUATE TREATMENT OF MD MENTALLY ILL

On May 22,of 2015 my grandson son Ji'Aire Lee died at Will's Memorial Park, Located in Laplata MD, he was only 3 years old. He and his mother had been at the park for nearly 2 days. If the mental health treatment in which I was seeking had been provided my grandson would still be alive, and my daughter Romechia would not be incarcerated. Prior to this incident, back in February of 2015 Romechia had suffered a sudden onset of a mental illness, she was seeking help but the state failed her. Romechia was a loving mother and productive member of society. She graduated high school, went Bowie State College, and worked since the age of 15. Although the particular cause of a mental Illness isn't known. It can be attributed to stress, trauma, environment or hereditary. It is known that those who do suffer from some degrees of a mental illness can and do lead successful lives. It will takes more research, funding and community support to achieve these goals on a wider scale. Must importantly it will take better Education, Laws and Judicial Justice on behalf of the mentally ill.

Mental Health disorders are common and universal. Mental Illness is the leading cause for disability in the United states and Canada for ages 14-55. There are more than 42 Million Americans who suffer from a mental illness everyday in the United States. Over 18% or ( 1-4 ) adults. There's 13.6 Million, 4.1% or ( 1-25 ) of Americans who have a debilitating mental illness. This means they are unable to perform life's daily functions. While, 21% (1-5) young Americans ages 13-18 will have some kind of severe mental illness at some point in their life. Mental illness is no different any other illness such as Cancer, High Blood Pressure, or Diabetes. There is no cure but these illnesses can sometimes be treated and maintained. and people can go on to lead productive lives. The proper laws and treatments needs to be put into place. Very often the Mentally Ill are mistreated and their needs go unmet, especially in the state of MD.

Prior to May 22, 2015 I Vontasha Simms had been seeking help from the state of MD and several other agencies in Charles County. Charles county doesn't have adequate resources for those who suffer from a mental illness. On more than one occasion I went to agencies such as Community Services, Core Services., Lifestyles of Angel Watch Shelter, Delegate Edith Patterson, County Commissioner Davis and several others to no avail. My children and I were turned away with no place to go. At certain time of the year the only shelter in which Charles County provides for a mother with small children is a tent in the woods. That is not acceptable in a County such as Charles or a State such as Maryland.

Maryland is 5 out of 50 states that have not adopted or implemented adequate mental health laws that have been a proven success in so many other states around this country. This is why I'm asking that the State of Maryland pass the Bill on Assisted Outpatient Treatment, Crisis Intervention Teams for all police departments, and Mental Health Courts. I also would like to have a new Law passed entitled Ji'Aire Law. This Law would enable a Parent or responsible family adult or friend to take a supervisory role in the care of an adult and or their minor child while that adult is in a mental health crisis, while still allowing that adult in crisis to maintain custody of that minor child but within a supervisory atmosphere until it can be determined to be safe for but parent and child. By signing this petition you will not only change a life you just may save a life