Why Mental Health Issues Often Go Unchecked

Last Monday, New York City woke up to a grim reminder of ongoing issues. Three people were killed in separate, unprovoked stabbings across Manhattan. The suspect, Ramon Rivera, lived at the Bellevue Men’s Shelter and had a history of mental health struggles and criminal activities spanning two decades. Despite his recent arrest and violent past, including an assault on a corrections officer while in psychiatric care, Rivera was released without bail. This case highlights a long-standing problem: the lack of intervention for those with severe mental health issues who pose a threat to society. Rivera’s advancing mental deterioration and escalating criminal behavior were evident to mental health and criminal justice professionals. Yet, they chose not to act to prevent these tragic events.Other examples, like Carlton McPherson and Steven Hutcherson, further illustrate the need for better confinement measures. McPherson pushed a commuter to their death while out on bond, and Hutcherson stabbed tourists in Grand Central Terminal shortly after his release. Both instances could have been prevented with proper confinement. Mayor Eric Adams has long advocated for stronger tools from state lawmakers to address these issues. With the recent political shift, there's hope that Albany lawmakers might reconsider bail reform and the discharge policies of psychiatric hospitals. While Governor Kathy Hochul has increased the number of psychiatric beds, more is needed. New York officials must ensure they’ve done everything possible to manage mental health crises before seeking federal aid. The road to effective mental health intervention is still long and challenging.