(April 4, 2017) The San Francisco Public Health Dept. just released a report on Laura’s Law (Assisted Outpatient Treatment, AOT) that includes results from their second year of implementing Laura’s Law. The results are outstanding and can be used in your own advocacy. The results show Laura’s Law is rarely used, dramatically improves results, and those in it (as opposed to advocates who purport to talk for them) like it:
Between November 2, 2015 and February 9, 2017 the San Francisco AOT program:
- Received 268 calls: 135 calls for referrals—predominantly from family members—and 133 requests for information.
- Of the 135 incoming referrals during the evaluation period, 60 unduplicated referred individuals were considered eligible for AOT participation and successfully contacted.
In the 36 months (3-years) prior to being referred to the program:
- 78% had at least one known inpatient psychiatric hospitalization in San Francisco.
- 60% had at least one known incarceration in San Francisco.
- 54% experienced at least one period of homelessness.
- 82% had at least one known PES contact in San Francisco.
Individuals in contact with AOT during the evaluation period showed overall reductions in PES contacts, psychiatric hospitalization, and incarceration.
- 87% of AOT participants were successful in reducing or avoiding PES contact.
- 65% were successful in reducing or avoiding time spent in inpatient psychiatric hospitalization.
- 74% were successful in reducing or avoiding time spent incarcerated.
AOT Participants were surveyed, and respondents overwhelmingly reported a positive outlook on their future.
- 89% of respondents feel confident that they can reach their treatment goals.
- 90% of respondents feel hopeful about their future.
- 63% of respondents believed that regularly meeting with a case manager will help them to find or maintain stable housing.
- 67% of respondents believed that regularly meeting with a case manager will help them to maintain good physical health.
- 63% of respondents believed that regularly meeting with a case manager will help them live the kind of life they want.
The report is not online yet.
Finally, my book, “Insane Consequences: How the Mental Health Industry Fails the Mentally Ill” is now available on Barnes and Noble and Amazon in book, Nook, or Kindle. I think it will help you advocate for better care, and many are buying copies for their mental health directors and elected officials. All proceeds go to groups helping to improve care for seriously mentally ill (not me). It has stellar reviews from Fuller Torrey, Glenn Close, Pete Earley, Tom Dart, Dr. Robert Paul Liberman and others. I looking for speaking engagements. If there are opportunities you know of, let me know. They can also be fundraisers (You get books at cost and sell at retail).
Thanks for all you do.