(January 2000) The Chapter's Assistant Director, Jessica Rosenberg, Second Vice President, Dr. Gerald Landsberg, and Consumer Advocate, Isaac Brown teamed up to discuss mental illness and violence on the Leonard Lopate WNYC radio show.

The panelists emphasized that research shows that the incidence of violence is not higher among the mentally ill than it is among the general population. An exception to this may be a subgroup of the mentally ill who are dually diagnosed as chemical abusers.

The panel discussed the tragic death of Kendra Webdale who was pushed in front of a subway train by Goldstein, a psychiatric patient. This horrible event led to Kendra's Law, which can compel psychiatric patients to be in outpatient treatment. The panel noted that Mr. Goldstein had a history of voluntarily seeking treatment, but because of limited resources, he was denied appropriate care.

The panel emphasized the critical need for more comprehensive mental health services and for supportive housing. It was also noted that persons with mental illness who are not treated unfortunately might wind up in forensic facilities.