On July 5, 2013, Doug and Nancy Reuter received the most heartbreaking news of their lives: their 28-year-old son, Joel, was dead.
Joel had struggled with bi-polar disorder since 2004 and, in the weeks leading up to his death, had refused his medications. Doug and Nancy tried over and over to get their son the mental health treatment he desperately needed.
Each time they got the same answer – Washington state’s involuntary commitment law was too narrow to detain Joel.
On July 5th, Joel fired a shot off the balcony of his apartment. He was killed by officers nearby. Joel thought he was shooting at zombies.
No one should have to suffer the same fate as Joel – or live with the untimely death of a child like Doug and Nancy.
The House operating budget provides $10.3 million to make important changes to give families that deal with mental illness the support they desperately need.
The dollars will go towards building capacity in our communities so we can strengthen our involuntary treatment laws.
Under legislation sponsored by Rep. Eileen Cody (D-Seattle), we will allow for more input from those who know the individual best.
The budget also allocates $8.2 million for intensive mental health treatment for high-needs children. In addition, $4 million is dedicated to making critical improvements to our state hospitals.