Police killings of people with mental illness is topic of today’s “Live on PennLive with Joyce Davis”

“They didn’t have to kill him.” Miguelina Peña, mother of Ricardo Munos, expressed the misery many mothers feel burying children police killed.

Munos suffered from schizophrenia and paranoia, and police called to his Lancaster home last month responded by shooting him.

Mental health professionals insist police do not have to kill people experiencing violent episodes related to mental illness. And Black Lives Matter protesters have called for “defunding” policing, transferring some of their duties and funding to programs that address mental illness in our communities.

Sharon Engdahl, Executive Director of the American Mental Wellness Association and the Mental Wellness Awareness Association (Pennsylvania), talks about how to fix the broken mental health system at 2 p.m. Thursday on “Live on PennLive with Joyce Davis.” Her organizations have outlined a Rapid Response Plan for America’s Broken Mental Health System," to address the problem and to provide Pennsylvania lawmakers a plan to help prevent future tragedies.

Bring your respectful questions and comments to today’s Facebook Live.

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