Action Alerts /Tell NBC Bay Area 11 why their Laura's Law story stereotypes people with mental health issues
NBC Bay Area 11 recently aired a story about AB 1421 or Laura's Law. The law allows counties to force outpatient treatment on individuals with mental health issues who may have been hospitalized, incarcerated, homeless and/or have a history of refusing psychiatric medication.
The law is named after Laura Wilcox, a 19-year-old killed in a 2001 shooting by a gunman who had mental health problems. The legislation was signed in 2002 and is set to expire next year. Consumers, advocates and most of the mental health community opposed the law when it was passed. Some Californians want it renewed; others do not, believing that voluntary services are the answer.
NBC 11 reporter Garvin Thomas' story "What Laura's Law Could Have Done" mainly explores the side that supports the law. The piece starts off with footage of armed officers in military fatigues searching the woods of Mendocino County for 35-year-old gunman Aaron Bassler. He was on the run for murdering two people. The authorities killed him. Thomas says of Bassler in his report, "He was elusive. He was dangerous. He was, his father believed, mentally ill." Aaron's father James Bassler is interviewed. He supports the law because he says his son needed help.
Thomas' story is misleading. He uses a violent criminal as an example, perpetuating the erroneous myth that people with mental health issues are dangerous. The story is missing the opinions of those who object to expanding forced treatment of mental health consumers in California, which AB 1421 does. Thomas' story does not address that AB 1421 is very controversial, raises civil rights concerns and that forced medication is the core mode of treatment in this law. The audience hears from family members and providers. But, where are the voices of the mental health consumers and advocates in the story? Consumers and advocates around the state have consistently opposed AB 1421.
There are two sides to AB 1421, but NBC Bay Area 11 and Garvin Thomas primarily focus on the supporting side, in effect using the media to editorialize for AB 1421 and forced treatment. Please let them know that the community expects balanced coverage on issues such as AB 1421, and the inclusion of multiple perspectives, especially those of consumers.
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Garvin Thomas
donotsendtothisemail@donotsend.com
Please contact Garvin Thomas via the following link: http://www.nbcbayarea.com/contact-us/
Dear Mr. Thomas,
Positive stories about mental health rarely make the news. Usually when mental health is explored, the coverage is often about a violent offender with a mental condition. This image reinforces the myth that people with mental health issues are dangerous and increase both stigma and discrimination.
I appreciate your coverage of AB 1421 or Laura's Law, because of its importance. However, I was very disappointed by the one-sided reporting which reinforces the stereotype that people with mental health problems are violent. The law is highly controversial, but you mainly focused on those who support the legislation. While groups like NAMI and pharmaceutical companies endorse the law, there are many Californians who don't support it. In addition to questions about its cost effectiveness, forcing outpatient treatment on mental health consumers violates their civil rights, undermines therapeutic relationships and erodes their self-determination and choice, which are essential to recovery.
I hope that you follow up on this story by looking at other positions of this debate. Next time, please include opinions from people who use mental health services and provide balanced coverage of the issue. Some community organizations that are available to provide this perspective and support are: Mental Health Association of San Francisco and Peers Envisioning and Engaging in Recovery Services.
Thank You.
