Testimony over Mississippi’s mental health system continues

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) – Relatives and a sheriff are all telling a federal judge that Mississippi’s mental health system isn’t providing needed services.

The witnesses are testifying this week as part of the federal government’s suit arguing Mississippi violates federal law. Federal officials say Mississippi relies too much on state mental hospitals, providing insufficient and uneven community services.

The state argues that it’s not breaking the Americans with Disabilities Act, and that the federal government is seeking overly extensive and expensive changes. State officials say mental hospitals play a valuable role.

The cousin of one patient says he’d like to live near his hometown, but can’t find services there. The father of another patient says his daughter was confined in state hospitals until recently because the state didn’t provide close supervision in outside housing.

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