NAMI grateful for support of mentally ill from Representatives Balser and Khan

Newton Tab

Newton should be grateful that they have such legislators as Chairwoman Ruth Balser and Representative Kay Khan as their legislators because of their continual commitment to improving the quality of life for the mentally ill in Massachusetts.
Representative Kahn has filed three pieces of important legislation that seek to 1. provide affordable housing for mentally ill and disabled citizens upon the disposal of state-owned property, 2. provide mental health services in prisons, and 3. give patients at health care facilities the option of waiving confidentiality so that family members can be involved in treatment decisions.

As Chair of the Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Chairwoman Balser has filed legislation that will ensure that mentally ill inmates are not subjected to unwarranted restraint or seclusion without the consult of a clinician. The bill also requires prison staff to receive training on the nature of mental illness and how to deal with mentally ill inmates in crisis.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Massachusetts (NAMI-Mass), a family-based advocacy and support group, is proud to support Chairwoman Balser and Representative Khan in their mission of securing the well-being and abolishing the criminalization of the mentally ill.  

Toby Fisher, MBA/MSW
Executive Director
NAMI-Mass
Woburn