“This ruling moves us one step closer to bringing essential, life-saving emergency mental health care to D.C. communities."

We’re representing Bread for the City in a federal lawsuit challenging the District’s practice of sending police to mental health emergencies instead of mental health professionals.

“This settlement will help ensure that the government meets its constitutional obligation to provide a safe environment for the patients of St. Elizabeths.”

Plaintiff Endured Anti-Gay Slurs, Retaliation, and Threats of Assault Over Many Years

A federal court has found that there is “an imminent risk to [patients’] health and well-being, and the consequences of contracting the virus are irreparable.”

A federal court ordered the D.C. Department of Behavioral Health to isolate patients at St. Elizabeths Hospital who have been exposed to the coronavirus.

Conditions at D.C.'s public psychiatric hospital have declined since the outbreak of COVID-19.