Deadly Inadequacies of Mental Health Care

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Produced by: 
KBOO
Program:: 
Air date: 
Mon, 04/08/2024 - 6:30pm to 7:00pm
Deadly Inadequacies of Mental Health Care

Host Karen James speaks with Hunter, a Portland attorney, whose wife was found dead on October 20, 2023, at their Portland residence. An autopsy conducted by the Multnomah County Medical Examiner revealed suspicious circumstances and further investigation led to the November 8th arrest of 27-year-old Austin who was charged in the death of his mother, Teresa. In 2018, after suffering a traumatic brain injury, Austin experienced continued mental decline and resistance to receive help led his mother to seek guardianship which was granted in August 2023. He is currently detained in the Oregon State Hospital where he is receiving court ordered mental health treatment. SAMHSA, the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration states that only 3%–5% of violent acts can be attributed to individuals living with a serious mental illness. In fact, people with severe mental illnesses are over 10 times more likely to be victims of a violent crime than the general population.  The Treatment Advocacy Center reports that serious mental illness (SMI) is a factor in approximately 29 percent of family homicides despite those with SMI making up only three percent of the population.

https://www.treatmentadvocacycenter.org/resources/violence-and-safety-plans/

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Episode Playlist

  • Time
    6:30
    Artist
    Nina Simone
    Song
    Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood
    Album
    Nina Simone: Verve Ultimate Cool
    Label
    BELIEVE - A&R Music

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