Politifest: What Do We Do When People With Behavioral Health Problems Refuse Treatment?

The intertwined problems of homelessness, mental illness and drug use are among the San Diego region’s most vexing challenges.

Despite billions in state and local spending, new laws and a parade of elected officials pledging to solve the problem, too many people remain on San Diego’s streets and too many pleas for help go unanswered because services aren’t available.

At our Politifest public affairs forum on Oct. 4 at University of San Diego, we’ll explore one especially urgent part of this problem: What do we do when people with behavioral health problems refuse treatment?

Panelists include Paul Armstrong, chief of staff and vice president of the San Diego Rescue Mission, Dr. Aaron Meyer, professor of psychiatry at the University of San Diego and chief behavioral health officer for the city of San Diego and Tara Stamos-Buesig, founder and CEO of the San Diego Harm Reduction Coalition. They’ll present their unique solutions, ranging from compelling people to receive treatment, to eliminating bureaucratic roadblocks that hinder person-centered care, to boosting peer support and other compassionate approaches.

You won’t want to miss this one. Get tickets here.

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