MENTAL HEALTH WEEKLY | FEBRUARY 2023

Ruth Lowenkron, NYLPI Disability Justice program director, was featured in Mental Health Weekly, providing an update on the Baerga v. City of New York litigation. Mental Health Weekly had previously covered the emergency request in December.

“The rights of New Yorkers with mental disabilities, particularly those who are unhoused, remain imperiled by the city’s new involuntary removal policy. Our litigation challenging the city’s use of New York Police Department officers are first responders when someone is experiencing a mental health crisis continues.

Through the discovery process, we will learn more about the new involuntary removal policy and its implementation. Should the city step up removals as throated, we will certainly consider going back to the court for emergency relief. We are grateful that the voices of advocates have been heard as, according to the city, the new policy has not been fully ramped up.”

Read more in Mental Health Weekly.

Photo: Transforming Mental Health Crisis Response coalition partners, City Councilmembers and families who lost loved ones to police violence speak at a rally outside of City Hall in response to Mayor Adams’ involuntary removal policy mental health directive.