San Francisco (KGO) — A non-inmate cell phone video of a San Francisco art gallery owner spraying a hose raises many questions and concerns.
Local leaders say individuals are getting help now.
But what about people on the streets with severe mental illness?
Possible options include guardianship (guardianship). This is the process of getting people into psychiatric treatment or being placed with a guardian.
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The uncontained person being sprayed in front of the North Beach gallery is known as “Q”.
North Beach Citizens is a non-profit organization of homeless services in San Francisco. Executive director Christy Fairchild said he met Q when the pandemic first started.
“She’s very isolated,” said Fairchild. She believes Q needs help.
“I’ve observed her walking down the middle of the street or getting naked in the street and screaming,” Fairchild said. She is probably experiencing schizophrenia.”
An art gallery owner said there were repeated attempts to help the person by recording a video of him being sprayed with water. He also said he called the police at least 20 times.
Aaron Peskin, President of the Supervisory Board, represents the North Beach area.
“There are clearly examples of unsound individuals dying on our streets and they certainly need to be accepted and cared for. You may be one of those individuals,” said Peskin.
Mr Fairchild said Q has been in and out of the hospital and believes a guardianship would help.
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“The guardianship system really allows us to monitor the needs and those who are unable to maintain their medications so that they can be stable in their lives,” Fairchild said.
State Senator Scott Weiner said he has pushed for statewide support for guardianship.
“So, this year, we are working at the state level to make it easier to protect those who clearly need to be protected, make it easier for counties to make decisions for them for a period of time, and make it easier for them to be healthy and stable. We are working to get you back on your feet, and make your own decisions,” Wiener said.
About a third of homeless people struggle with mental health or addiction issues, Wiener said. He said more treatments need to be made available for them.
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Not everyone needs a guardianship system. But more mental health beds and infrastructure are needed for the very few who do, Wiener said.
“We don’t have to make it hard to put them in guardianship. It’s saving their lives,” Wiener said.
Jennifer Friedenbach is Executive Director of the Coalition of Homelessness.
She said the guardianship system should only be used in rare circumstances where people would harm themselves or others. It’s for people who can’t.
“Sometimes you need it, but it shouldn’t be your go-to tool for dealing with mental health issues,” said Friedenbach.
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