March 20, 2013 - Several recent incidents of random gun violence by young men with histories of mental illness have brought the subject of mental illness to the forefront of American public debate. On Thursday, April 4, the Auburn Area Democratic Club (AADC) will present a public forum to educate the public on mental illness, mental health services in Placer County and the potential implementation of Laura's Law, which permits mandatory outpatient treatment for seriously disturbed persons who refuse treatment . The program, which begins at 7:00 pm in the Auburn Library at 350 Nevada Street, is free and open to the public.
Maureen Bauman, L.C.S.W./MPA and Director of Placer County Adult System of Care (ASOC) and Richard S. Knecht, M.S., Director Placer County Children's System of Care (CSOC) will describe Placer County mental health services and programs, including how they might be affected by the Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare").
In the second half of the program, Ms. Bauman and Mr. Knecht will address the challenges of treating mentally ill who refuse to acknowledge their illness. They will be joined by Nick and Amanda Wilcox. Their daughter Laura was tragically gunned down by a psychotic patient, and Laura's Law bears her name. The Wilcoxes will discuss Nevada County's experience in implementing the law and potential advantages of extending its implementation here. The Placer County Board of Supervisors has yet to make a final decision whether to implement Laura's Law.
The AADC is an organization dedicated to informing the public and advancing democratic ideals. Membership is $25 per year. Anyone can join the club by going to the website www.auburndemocrats.com/contribute.
Help us bring you more news. Be a real reader:
By submitting a comment you consent to our rules. You must use your real first and last name, not a nickname or alias. A comment here is just like a letter to the editor or a post on Facebook. Thank you.
