Wilson Center for Science and Justice
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Archive: August 2021

Connection, Trust, and Recovery: Interview with Eugene Wilson, NC FIT

August 12, 2021

Editor’s Note: If you’ve ever needed help but weren’t sure where to turn, then you know how important just one trustworthy guide can be. This blog post is part of an occasional series called “Connection, Trust, and Recovery,” by Michele … Continue Reading →

Student Post: Ketamine Use By Police Should Stop

June 9, 2021

By Annie Han

Ketamine is used as an anesthetic in hospitals, as a treatment for depression, and — most dangerously — a forced sedative by the police. Star Tribune journalist Andy Mannix reported that police officers in Minneapolis direct paramedics … Continue Reading →

New Article Explores Police Officer Barriers to Mental Health

May 4, 2021

Wilson Center Postdoc Dr. Meret Hofer co-wrote an article identifying police officers’ treatment seeking barriers in order to outline a multi-pronged strategy for improving the accessibility of mental health services for police.

The paper, “There Was No Plan in Place … Continue Reading →

Planning Underway for Crisis/Diversion Facility in Orange County

April 21, 2021

By Ruthie Kesri

Plans for a novel Crisis/Diversion facility are currently underway in Orange County. The facility, which will be dedicated to providing behavioral health crisis services and criminal justice diversion, will be the first of its kind in the … Continue Reading →

Growing Above and Beyond: UCAN Farming Skills Support Reentry

April 12, 2021

Editor’s Note: This is the second installment of an occasional series from the Wilson Center’s Michele Easter examining the intersection of nature and agriculture to support recovery, resilience, and community success within justice-involved communities. The logo for this series was … Continue Reading →

Ongoing Research Offers Insight into Implementing Psychiatric Advance Directives

February 26, 2021

By Belle Allmendinger

People with severe mental illness, such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, can experience crisis in which they are unable to make competent decisions and by themselves cannot give consent to treatment. As a result, they may be … Continue Reading →

Roundtable: There are Better Alternatives to Police Response in Behavioral Crises

February 22, 2021

By Ruthie Kesri

Responding safely to behavioral health crises requires sensitivity, extensive training and de-escalation practice. Police have become the de facto first responders to those crises despite rarely receiving adequate training to safely and effectively handle the situation.

The … Continue Reading →

Student Post: Policing Term ‘Excited Delirium’ Should Not Justify Risky Ketamine Use

December 22, 2020

By De’Ja Wood

This summer, the murder of George Floyd seized national attention and sparked protests and discourse about police violence across the country. The ongoing discussion about police brutality led to an online petition calling for Colorado government agencies … Continue Reading →

Celebrating National Recovery Month through Awareness of Psychiatric Advance Directives

September 25, 2020

By Dr. Marvin Swartz

National Recovery Month is a national observance every September to educate Americans that persons with behavioral health disorders can live healthy and rewarding lives. Recovery month is also an opportunity to reflect on the struggle to … Continue Reading →