Judge Certifies Class in Lawsuit to Secure Mental Health Services
A US District Court Judge in Washington has granted class certification in TR v. Dreyfus, a civil rights lawsuit against Washington state for failure to provide adequate care to children with serious mental health problems.
The 10 named plaintiffs, all under age 21, claim that children with serious mental illness are being cycled in and out of institutions and psychiatric hospitals and jail. They are homeless or end up in foster care and have families in crisis. They are dropping out of school. They are at greater risk for suicide or exacerbation of mental health issues.
The named plaintiffs, diagnosed with significant mental health conditions including bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and depression, allege inability to access needed services from the State’s mental health system. They claim children across the State suffer significant harm from repeated hospitalizations, incarcerations, separation from family, and social isolation.
US District Judge Thomas S. Zilly granted class certification to plaintiffs July 23.
