Call on Policymakers to Stop Prison Pipelines and Fund Community Services
In communities across the nation, police are the first to respond to a mental health incident or social crisis. This is especially true for Black and Latine youth, who during a time of crisis are too often met with law enforcement personnel instead of a trained mental health professional. This practice has resulted in the criminalization of countless youth, exacerbating existing mental health symptoms, and contributing to the creation of a school-to-prison pipeline.
We are calling for an end to this practice and a meaningful investment in community mental health services that will allow young people to develop and heal.