A recent study by Johns Hopkins University revealed a grim reality: nearly 1,800 individuals were shot by law enforcement annually between 2015 and 2020, with over half of those encounters proving fatal. This worrying trend disproportionately impacts those struggling with untreated mental illness, leaving them especially vulnerable.
The heartbreaking case of Sonya Massey, captured on body camera footage, illustrates this vulnerability. Sixteen hours before a fatal gunshot ended her life on July 6, her mother, Donna, called 911, desperately pleading for help with her daughter’s mental health crisis. Sonya herself, seen interacting with medics, confirmed she had taken her medication as instructed.
Tragically, the next day, Sonya called 911 to report a prowler. Responding officers, including Officer Sean Grayson, entered her home after an exterior search, and the situation escalated rapidly. Grayson fired a fatal shot, striking Sonya in the head. Facing multiple charges – including murder – Grayson could face a sentence of 45 years to life.
Sonya’s death has sparked fear and reopened old wounds in the Black community, where distrust of law enforcement runs deep. Drew Thomas, a student at Regent University, reflects a sentiment echoing within the community: “While many people feel safe around police, for us, it’s never a certainty.”
Trauma Therapist Dr. Anita Phillips terms this collective anxiety as ‘collective trauma,’ further fueling the rift between Black communities and law enforcement. She recounts supporting a young Black woman with bipolar disorder during a severe depressive episode. When Dr. Phillips suggested calling 911, the young woman responded, “As tormented as I am by these thoughts, I’m safer if I don’t.”
Lisa Dailey, leading the Treatment Advocacy Center, a non-profit advocating for those with severe mental illness, points to the surge in calls to 988, the suicide and crisis hotline launched in 2022. Over 10.8 million reached out for help through this lifeline, signifying a growing need for mental health support.
Dailey emphasizes the alarming statistic that individuals experiencing a mental health crisis face a 16 times higher risk of fatal encounters with law enforcement compared to those not experiencing such a crisis.
This heightened vulnerability is often compounded by ‘Anosognosia,’ a condition impairing an individual’s awareness of their own mental illness. Affecting 40-50% of individuals with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, Anosognosia leads to atypical responses during police interactions, rendering them particularly susceptible to negative outcomes.
To address this pressing issue, Dailey’s organization has meticulously compiled a database tracking what they call ‘preventable tragedies,’ highlighting the urgent need for accessible mental health care. Research also reveals stark racial disparities in policing and mental health crises.
Communities of color often face delayed interventions, potentially escalating crises to dangerous levels. Dailey emphasizes that “timely interventions are crucial to prevent escalation and ensure access to proper care.”
On a hopeful note, alternative response models like STAR programs, involving mental health professionals, are showing promise. As Thompkins notes, these programs allow police to focus on core duties while providing individuals in crisis with the specialized support they need.
Dailey stresses the critical need for equipping officers with resources to effectively handle mental health calls, acknowledging the fine line between medical intervention and security concerns.
The insights and successful implementation of alternative models like STAR offer a beacon of hope, urging for widespread adoption to ensure safe and compassionate support for individuals experiencing mental health crises.
