Fresno Mayor Alan Autry says the recent shooting death of Roosevelt High student Jessie Carrizales by a campus police officer spurred him to take action. The family says Carrizales was on medication for depression. Autry said "With this heart-breaking tragedy we as a community are going to stop cursing the darkness and turn on the light regarding mental health and mental illness in our society and in our schools."
Autry seeks a partnership with the county, school districts, police and faith-based organizations to assist young people with mental health issues. A plan is not yet in place but Brenda Leue believes schools should add counselors who specialize in child psychology. Leue said "I hope whatever they do they don't make the students feel ostracized from the others and that they're able to put it on the campus."
Leue also says its important counseling and education is made available for families so they understand what is happening. The coalition is looking into how it could fund such a program.
