Dr. Jhilam Biswas

Yes, very important. So different states end up with different sets of issues that result in the same problem, which is people with mental illness end up incarcerated. And in Massachusetts, I have to say we have the lowest number of incarcerated individuals, like rate of incarcerated individuals in the country.

Yes, very important. So different states end up with different sets of issues that result in the same problem, which is people with mental illness end up incarcerated. And in Massachusetts, I have to say we have the lowest number of incarcerated individuals, like rate of incarcerated individuals in the country.

Yes, very important. So different states end up with different sets of issues that result in the same problem, which is people with mental illness end up incarcerated. And in Massachusetts, I have to say we have the lowest number of incarcerated individuals, like rate of incarcerated individuals in the country.

So not in terms of numbers, but in terms of the rate of incarceration, we had the lowest amount. However, those who are incarcerated are more likely to be mentally ill in Massachusetts.

So not in terms of numbers, but in terms of the rate of incarceration, we had the lowest amount. However, those who are incarcerated are more likely to be mentally ill in Massachusetts.

So not in terms of numbers, but in terms of the rate of incarceration, we had the lowest amount. However, those who are incarcerated are more likely to be mentally ill in Massachusetts.

And our judges have done a great job of creating new standards in Massachusetts that they recently updated in 2024 to really think about mental illness as one of the things they consider when they're looking into a case. And I was just involved in one of their annual meetings and provided some mental health education at their annual meeting because they're really looking into this issue.

And our judges have done a great job of creating new standards in Massachusetts that they recently updated in 2024 to really think about mental illness as one of the things they consider when they're looking into a case. And I was just involved in one of their annual meetings and provided some mental health education at their annual meeting because they're really looking into this issue.

And our judges have done a great job of creating new standards in Massachusetts that they recently updated in 2024 to really think about mental illness as one of the things they consider when they're looking into a case. And I was just involved in one of their annual meetings and provided some mental health education at their annual meeting because they're really looking into this issue.

But what I think is an issue in Massachusetts is that we're a very rights-driven state where treatment is important, but to maintain someone's rights to refuse medication, it takes precedence in Massachusetts. It's not the case in all states, but a lot of states do follow the same thought process.

But what I think is an issue in Massachusetts is that we're a very rights-driven state where treatment is important, but to maintain someone's rights to refuse medication, it takes precedence in Massachusetts. It's not the case in all states, but a lot of states do follow the same thought process.

But what I think is an issue in Massachusetts is that we're a very rights-driven state where treatment is important, but to maintain someone's rights to refuse medication, it takes precedence in Massachusetts. It's not the case in all states, but a lot of states do follow the same thought process.

And while I think that's absolutely important for people with disabilities to have all of their rights intact, what sometimes happens is these individuals in maintaining their rights to stay off medications and not get mandated treatment, they end up in the carceral system because they end up in a violent situation and then end up in the carceral system with criminal charges.

And while I think that's absolutely important for people with disabilities to have all of their rights intact, what sometimes happens is these individuals in maintaining their rights to stay off medications and not get mandated treatment, they end up in the carceral system because they end up in a violent situation and then end up in the carceral system with criminal charges.

And while I think that's absolutely important for people with disabilities to have all of their rights intact, what sometimes happens is these individuals in maintaining their rights to stay off medications and not get mandated treatment, they end up in the carceral system because they end up in a violent situation and then end up in the carceral system with criminal charges.

And so in Massachusetts, two things we need to do. We don't have any assisted outpatient treatment laws, and we do have one filed with the legislature right now at the state house called the Critical Community Services Bill that we've just refiled in January to help us bring this level of intensive psychiatric treatment into the community rather than just in locked psychiatric units.

And so in Massachusetts, two things we need to do. We don't have any assisted outpatient treatment laws, and we do have one filed with the legislature right now at the state house called the Critical Community Services Bill that we've just refiled in January to help us bring this level of intensive psychiatric treatment into the community rather than just in locked psychiatric units.

And so in Massachusetts, two things we need to do. We don't have any assisted outpatient treatment laws, and we do have one filed with the legislature right now at the state house called the Critical Community Services Bill that we've just refiled in January to help us bring this level of intensive psychiatric treatment into the community rather than just in locked psychiatric units.

The hope is we can provide antipsychotic medications to someone with serious mental illness and a psychotic disorder in the community monitored while getting them all the other services they need to stay in the community.

The hope is we can provide antipsychotic medications to someone with serious mental illness and a psychotic disorder in the community monitored while getting them all the other services they need to stay in the community.