Scanlon supports needs of those struggling with mental health illness

To the Times:

I would to like to commend my representative, Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon, D-5 of Swarthmore, for being a cosponsor of the Mental Health Justice Act. This bill would send trained mental health professionals instead of the police when 911 is called because a person is experiencing a mental health crisis. Congresswoman Scanlon, in part, described the Act as applying to people who are mentally ill or mentally disabled, and its goal is to prevent violence by the police against such vulnerable people.

I’m retired now, but for six years was a Special Education teacher who instructed children with brain damage and/or behavior disorders. I worked in various other capacities with children and adults with mental disabilities for another twenty years. Also, one of my close in-laws had a brother (now deceased) who was mentally ill. From both my professional and personal experience, I believe that mentally ill and mentally disabled people need compassionate help. I do believe that most police officers are dedicated to serving and protecting the community in which they live.

However, I believe such relatively recent events as the killing of black Minneapolis resident George Floyd by former white police officer Derek Chain demonstrate that not all police are the best ones to handle the public.

I called Congresswoman Scanlon recently to thank her for sponsoring this humane bill. I also urged her to vote in favor of H. R. 18, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Full Disclosure Act of 2021. This bill would prohibit the use of federal/taxpayer funds for abortions or for health coverage that includes abortion. There are exceptions for infrequent pregnancies that result from rape, incest, or when the life of the mother is endangered. The science of biology confirms that a new human being starts life at fertilization. Abortion is a violent act against an innocent unborn human being. Pregnant women in need require compassionate, practical alternatives-toabortion. Further, a January, 2021 poll conducted by the Knights of Columbus/ Marist poll found that a substantial majority (58%) of Americans surveyed opposed tax funded abortions.

I also urged Congresswoman Scanlon to support H. R. 1155. This bill is the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. This bill would ensure that goods made with forced labor in the Xinjieng Uyghur Autonomous Region of China do not enter our nation’s markets. Many thousands of these innocent people are cruelly forced in often harsh conditions to make products for China. Further, China has a long history of persecuting religious people, including Christians and Muslims. I don’t believe that our nation should in any way be involved in the exploitation of Uyghur workers.

I respectfully urge Congresswoman Scanlon to support all three of these proposed bills. Finally, I thank her for cosponsoring the Mental Health Justice Act.

From both my professional and personal experience, I believe that mentally ill and mentally disabled people need compassionate help. I do believe that most police officers are dedicated to serving and protecting the community in which they live.