Preventing Another Death in Custody

July 3, 2023The Honorable Glen Youngkin, GovernorCommonwealth of VirginiaDear Governor Youngkin:The death of Irvo Otieno (see Another Death in Custody 03/22/2023) requires a full review of Virginia’s laws and policies to ensure the safety and care of individuals with...

What does 988 mean?

Until now, if you were to call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, you would call 1-800-273-TALK. As of July 16, you can call 988 to reach the Lifeline, a number that is much easier to remember. In addition to having a new number, the move to 988 includes a much...

Mental Health Hospital Crisis

Overcrowding at Virginia’s nine state psychiatric hospitals has renewed calls for the state to build more hospitals. The state hospitals have reached capacity several times in recent years, and the pandemic has brought an already stressed system to a crisis point. The...