Tragedy and Mental Health System Transformation in Virginia

21 Pages Posted: 10 Feb 2011

See all articles by Richard J. Bonnie

Richard J. Bonnie

University of Virginia School of Law

James S. Reinhard

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Phillip Hamilton

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Elizabeth L. McGarvey

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Date Written: February 9, 2011

Abstract

On April 16, 2007, a deeply disturbed Virginia Tech student murdered 32 fellow students and faculty and then shot himself. Less than one year later, the Virginia legislature improved the emergency evaluation process, modified the criteria for involuntary commitment, tightened procedures for mandatory outpatient treatment, and increased state funding for community mental health services. The unanswered question, however, is whether the necessary political momentum can be sustained for the long-term investment in community services and the fundamental legal changes needed to transform a system focused on managing access to scarce hospital beds to a community-based system of accessible voluntary services.

Suggested Citation

Bonnie, Richard J. and Reinhard, James S. and Hamilton, Phillip and McGarvey, Elizabeth L., Tragedy and Mental Health System Transformation in Virginia (February 9, 2011). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1758862 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1758862

Richard J. Bonnie (Contact Author)

University of Virginia School of Law ( email )

580 Massie Road
Charlottesville, VA 22903
United States

James S. Reinhard

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Phillip Hamilton

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Elizabeth L. McGarvey

affiliation not provided to SSRN

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