I am writing in support of repeal of the emergency regulations. These regulations demonstrate a significant lack of understanding of the needs and issues of individuals suffering from a serious mental illness. As stated in other comments, it is common for these individuals to be unable or unwilling to provide accurate information regarding past treatment including medications and hospitalizations.

The concept of calling Dr,’s, hospitals and pharmacies to obtain information and believing any legitimate organization is going to give this information by phone is at best naive and at worst, a violation of HIPPA,  and Human Rights Regulations.

The requirements for “proving” psychiatric hospitalization and prescriptions for medications are additional barriers to receiving treatment and will effectively cut the number of individuals who are eligible for this service and will meet the unspoken goal of showing a decrease in the amount of money spent for this service. What this will not show is the increase in the money spent for police, jail, emergency services and hospitalizations.

Mental Health Services in this state are sorely lacking. Especially in many rural areas of the state, Mental Health Support Services are the only reasonable accessible resource available to many of these individuals.

Virginia only shows any interest in assisting individuals with mental illness when a high profile incident occurs.   The powers that be then scurry about, use band aids to try and stop a hemorrhage and pacify the public until the next crisis.  The reality is the system of mental health care in this state is broken.   These “emergency regulations” are a very concrete example of just how broken it is.