CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – The Cleveland City Council passed Tanisha’s Law, legislation that creates a new approach to handling mental health crises.
For the family of Tanisha Anderson, who died in police custody during a mental health crisis in November 2014, this moment represents over a decade of fighting for change.
Michael Anderson, Tanisha’s uncle, has been fighting alongside other family members to reform how the city responds to mental health emergencies.
“I’ve always said until Tanisha’s law is passed, to me she’s still laying out there on that sidewalk,” Anderson said. “Tonight it’s like a resurrection for the family.”
The journey to this moment has not been easy.
Michael Anderson reflects on the struggle his family has faced.
“It’s been kind of rough to be honest with you,” Anderson said. “It’s not been smooth sailing at all but we had hope, family kept fighting.”
The legislation was spearheaded by Cleveland City Councilmembers Stephanie Howse-Jones and Charles Slife, along with former member Rebecca Maurer.
“Which will actually create a Bureau of Community Crisis Response specifically being able to build out what we call the fourth option,” Howse-Jones said. “Many times when people call 911 people ask police, fire, EMS. We are creating a fourth option centered around crisis.”
Unarmed crisis response teams will include behavioral health professionals, social workers, peers with lived experiences, and clinicians.
Calls such as non-violent behavioral health crises, wellness checks, substance-use crises, and quality of life calls can be responded to by these teams instead of police.
Howse-Jones hopes this will restore dignity and prevent another tragedy.
“You now have a community, a city who recognizes you for who you are and the different challenges that you may have,” Howse-Jones said. “We are now going to partner with you and be able to meet you with dignity and give you the appropriate care if crisis arise.”
While Anderson acknowledges this is only the beginning, he hopes this can help many others like Tanisha.
“Tanisha lives,” Anderson said. “It’s a great night.”
“The administration firmly believes that individuals experiencing mental health crises deserve quick, compassionate responses led by trained mental health professionals. We remain fully committed to a whole-of-government approach to crisis response and look forward to continuing to work with City Council and the community as we stand up the new Bureau of Community Crisis Response.”
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