Where Our Treasure Lies: Funding Mental Health to Prevent Tragedies

A recent article highlights the work of a police officer and “autism mom” who created an registry to improve police interactions with autistic residents in Sleepy Hollow, New York. Her efforts, the article claims, aim to ensure the safety of neurodivergent individuals by equipping first responders with critical information and specialised training.

While her efforts are commendable, the broader issue remains that police are often the default responders for situations involving distressed autistic individuals. This raises significant concerns about the appropriateness of police involvement, given their primary mandate to “restore order” and “protect property” in the Global North.

Historically, interactions between police and neurodivergent individuals have frequently ended in tragedy. Cases such as those of Ethan Saylor, who died after being restrained by off-duty officers for not leaving a movie theater, and Linden Cameron, a 13-year-old unarmed autistic boy shot by police during a mental health crisis, illustrate the potential for fatal misunderstandings.

Autistic behaviours, such as non-compliance, sensory overload reactions, or stimming, are often misinterpreted as threats or non-cooperative conduct. Police training, which prioritises quick compliance and control, is ill-suited for handling the needs of autistic individuals.

Instead of police intervention, alternative emergency response systems, including mental health professionals and community-based support, should be prioritised. These professionals are better equipped to de-escalate situations and provide the necessary care without resorting to force.

Thus, whilst training initiatives like those described in the article can be valuable, a more fundamental shift is required to ensure the safety and well-being of autistic individuals during emergencies. Redirecting resources towards specialised support services, rather than relying on law enforcement, is crucial for fostering a truly inclusive and safe society for all.

Isolated incidents or patterns of behaviour?

Lest you think that my fears are not valid, here are ten documented instances where neurodivergent people were harmed in their interactions with police in the United States:

1. Ethan Saylor (2013)

   • Ethan Saylor, a 26-year-old man with Down syndrome, was killed by off-duty deputies in Frederick, Maryland, after he refused to leave a movie theater. The officers restrained him, leading to his death by asphyxiation. He was not armed and presented no threat to officers.

2. Antonio Martinez (2012)

   • Antonio Martinez, a 21-year-old autistic man, was beaten by police in Vista, California. He was walking to his family’s bakery when officers mistook him for a suspect and used excessive force. He was not armed and presented no threat to officers.

3. Charles Kinsey and Arnaldo Rios Soto (2016)

   • In North Miami, Florida, Charles Kinsey, a therapist, was shot by police while trying to help his autistic client, Arnaldo Rios Soto, who had wandered away from a group home. Kinsey was lying on the ground with his hands up, attempting to calm Rios Soto, when an officer fired, injuring Kinsey. Neither were armed and presented no threat to officers.

4. Neli Latson (2010)

   • Neli Latson, a young African-American autistic man, was sitting outside a library in Stafford, Virginia, when someone reported him as suspicious. When approached by a deputy, Latson tried to leave but was tackled and arrested. He faced multiple charges and years of incarceration in solitary confinement. He was later issued a full pardon in a case that highlights the abuses of the correctional system in the US.

5. Linden Cameron (2020)

   • Linden Cameron, a 13-year-old autistic boy, was shot multiple times by police in Salt Lake City, Utah, during a mental health crisis. His mother had called for help, explaining his condition, but officers still used lethal force. He was not armed and presented no threat to officers.

6. Eric Parsa (2020)

   • Eric Parsa, a 16-year-old autistic boy, died after Jefferson Parish Sheriff's deputies in Louisiana restrained him, and sat on him, for an extended period following a meltdown. The prolonged restraint led to his death by positional asphyxia. The parent’s lawsuit continues.

7. Osaze Osagie (2019)

   • Osaze Osagie, a 29-year-old African-American autistic man, was shot and killed by police in State College, Pennsylvania. His parents had called for a mental health check due to his erratic behaviour, but the situation escalated fatally.

8. Kayden Clarke (2016)

   • Kayden Clarke, a transgender autistic man, was shot by police in Mesa, Arizona, during a mental health crisis. Officers were responding to a suicidal call and claimed Clarke approached them with a knife, resulting in fatal gunfire.

9. Ryan Gainer (2024)

   • Ryan Gainer, a 15-year-old African-American autistic boy, was shot by a San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputy in Apple Valley, California. The incident occurred outside his home, raising questions about training and response protocols for handling neurodivergent individuals.

10. Elijah McClain (2019)

    • Elijah McClain, a 23-year-old African-American autistic with other disabilities, died after being put in a chokehold and injected with a sedative by police in Aurora, Colorado. McClain was walking home when he was stopped by officers due to a suspicious person report.

These cases underscore the critical need for alternative approaches to handling situations involving autistic individuals and other vulnerable populations, emphasising the necessity for trained mental health professionals and community-based support systems rather than law enforcement.

Not fit for purpose

The role of police officers is traditionally centered around enforcing laws, maintaining public order, and protecting property. Their training reflects this mission, focusing heavily on procedures for handling criminal activity, employing force, and ensuring compliance through authoritative measures. Consequently, this training is fundamentally misaligned with the nuanced needs of individuals experiencing mental health crises, particularly the neurodivergent.

Police training typically emphasises rapid assessment, control, and compliance, which can exacerbate distress in individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. Techniques like physical restraint or the use of loud commands can trigger panic, sensory overload, or aggressive responses from those who are already vulnerable. Moreover, the high-stress, fast-paced nature of police work leaves little room for the patience and understanding required to de-escalate such situations effectively.

The mission of a police department is inherently reactive and centred on law enforcement, not on providing the compassionate, specialised care required during mental health emergencies. Mental health professionals, who are trained in de-escalation techniques, therapeutic communication, and understanding the behaviours and needs of neurodivergent individuals, are far better equipped to manage these crises. Redirecting resources from police intervention to mental health support systems can prevent unnecessary harm and ensure that individuals in crisis receive the appropriate care and compassion they need.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also - Matthew 6:21

In the United States, there is a stark contrast between the budgets allocated to police departments and those designated for mental health services. Police departments across the country receive substantial funding, often comprising a significant portion of municipal budgets. For instance, large cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago allocate billions of dollars annually to their police forces. This funding supports personnel, equipment, training, and other operational needs, reflecting the prioritisation of law enforcement and public safety within local governance.

Conversely, mental health services frequently face chronic underfunding. Despite the growing recognition of the importance of mental health, budgets for mental health programs and facilities are often inadequate to meet the needs of the population. For example, in 2021, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reported that states allocated, on average, less than 2% of their total budgets to mental health services. This underinvestment has led to a shortage of mental health professionals, long waiting times for treatment, and insufficient crisis intervention resources.

The disparity in funding becomes particularly evident during emergencies involving mental health crises. Police are often the first responders to these situations due to their availability and resources, despite lacking the specialised training necessary to handle them effectively. Mental health professionals, who are better equipped to manage such crises, are typically underfunded and overstretched, limiting their capacity to respond promptly.

Addressing this imbalance by reallocating funds away from police budgets towards mental health services could significantly enhance the ability to provide appropriate care for individuals in crisis. Investing in mental health infrastructure, crisis intervention teams, and community-based support systems would not only improve outcomes for those experiencing mental health issues but also reduce the burden on police forces, allowing them to focus more on their primary law enforcement duties.