Health
renee davis was depressed, suicidal, and pregnant when she was killed by police #sayhername
Once again someone going through a mental health crisis has been shot, and killed by police. This time 23 year old Native American woman Renee Davis. She was a mother of three, and was five months pregnant with the fourth. Statistically she is the 13th woman shot, and killed by police this year who was listed as mentally ill. This story comes less than a week after writing an article (http://bit.ly/2eoxR7g) on a similar problem I have with the police handling mental health situations.
Reportedly the police came to her door for a wellness check. Someone called in that she was feeling suicidal, and that two of her small children were home with her. Why the police shot fire is still unknown. Both officers are on paid administrative leave. Sources say that Davis was a sweet, non- violent individual, and has dealt with depression in the past. With three small children, and one on the way it makes me wonder if she were dealing with post-partum that was never fully treated.
By Jasmin Pierre*, AFROPUNK contributor
Obviously, the police force still has a lot of training to learn when it comes to mental health crisis. The fact that we keep hearing about police CIT (Crisis Intervention Training) training, but many are still being killed is an eye opener. As you clearly see enough isn’t being done to de-escalate mental health situations. When will the madness end? How many more lives will be taken before something more is done?
When will mental illness become less stigmatized? So many are falling through the cracks of the system, and horrible tragedies like this are an end result. I’m tired of it. A couple of years ago this could have very well been me killed by an officer. Simply because I was depressed and needed help. I don’t think people have any idea how triggering stuff like this is. Depression is NOT a crime. However, we live in a world where a cry for help can become murder. A mother and an unborn baby lost their lives, people. Let that sink in.
*Jasmin Pierre is a 27-year-old mental health activist and author of the new self help book “A Fight Worth Finishing”. She is from New Orleans, Louisiana. Jasmin is constantly fighting for the rights of those suffering from major depressive disorder. She inspires to become a life coach and continue writing to encourage others to never give up.
Facebook: A Fight Worth Finishing
Twitter: @afightworthfin
Instagram: @afightworthfinishing
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