NAMI Statement on the Tragic Death of Irvo Otieno

“NAMI is outraged by the death of Irvo Otieno – an artist, a son, a human being. And we are heartbroken by the details coming out publicly about his death. People with mental illness are human beings – and each of us deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. Tragically, whether we hear about it or not, the mistreatment of people with mental illness happens every day. It happens in the places we are all taught to trust, like our hospitals. As a nation, we must address the systemic challenges that repeatedly fail people with mental illness and their families, leaving far too many without hope. We cannot continue to allow any family to go through what Mr. Otieno’s family is going through. We need a compassionate and caring system that supports everyone affected by a mental health condition.”