Sommer Walter

This is a critical issue of our time. We desperately need hospitals and assisted living centers with skilled doctors, nurses and humane care for the seriously and chronically mentally ill.

Thank you @AthenaAnkrah and @amysilvermanaz for capturing our harrowing and nightmarish story in the most beautiful way possible. To my brother and my babies…I love you more than everything. ❤️

I prayed so hard that my brother would receive appropriate care at our State Hospital. Instead he got arrested and thrown in jail. Our State hospital is in no condition to treat or care for those with autism or serious mental illness.

OVERWHELMED: Autistic patients say conditions at our Arizona State Hospital are making them worse | Important local investigative journalism by @amysilvermanaz & @AthenaAnkrah @kjzzphoenix #SupportPublicRadio #accountability kjzz.org/the-show/2025-…

@willhumble_az @amysilvermanaz @AthenaAnkrah @kjzzphoenix I so badly wish things would have ended up differently for my brother, Darren. ASH in its current condition is no place for those with serious mental illness and or autism. It’s shown to have devastating and catastrophic consequences.

@Josh_Mozell Evelia is amazing and so strong. It’s such a hard thing to stand up there and talk about how sick your child is. She spoke with so much strength and grace. Brought so many of us to tears.

Yesterday we testified on secure residential - something ACMI has been working on for 7 years. I got to testify with one of my favorite people - Evelia Davis too. Result: through HHS unanimously. I’m very appreciative to Senator Werner for sponsoring this year.

@Josh_Mozell @katiehobbs 🤣💀🤣

Our fearless leader @katiehobbs doing her State of the State. She didn’t mention mental health at all, but that’s okay because we are still super best friends.

“Nearly half of incarcerated Americans have a history of mental illness.” This fact underscores the urgent need for better mental health support and reform within our broken system. #SMITwitter mprnews.org/episode/2024/0…

FACTS!!! In a span from 2017-2024 my very severely mentally ill brother has been incarcerated 6 times!

@HollyGieszl @LindaLMimms @SDSheriff Why am I not surprised one bit.

@LindaLMimms @SDSheriff Could be worse. Staff at AZ State Hospital are allegedly smuggling meth to patients.

A sad state of affairs when common sense lifesaving changes to our jails are ignored by @SDSheriff who is perpetuating a #toxic culture where deadly drugs are getting in and people with severe mental illness continue to die. enewspaper.sandiegouniontribune.com/infinity/artic…

These bills cost nothing, save lives, and save money. They have passed unanimously out of both HHS committees. Thank you to our sponsors @Wadsack4Arizona @CatherineSenate @consueloforaz and amendments by @GonzalesSally @SteveMontenegro thank you chairs @TJShope and @SteveMontenegro The moms will get it done. #treatSMI #arizonamadmoms

Something has to give….our loved ones deserve so much better than the streets, jails, prisons or death. These bills help pave the way for better treatment and accountability of the agencies that are failing to treat our loved ones while making millions of dollars off of them.

@abales As a mother of two sons with severe autism, I GET IT! We’ve been shamed and asked to leave several public places due to their “weird and disruptive” vocal sounds! I’m so sorry you had that experience!

It takes courage for folks like me, disabled, in wheelchair, no legs, to go out in public, especially to pool/fitness center. I picked one associated with healthcare to hopefully be welcomed. Today I was met with sign posted on lift into pool, Only those who fully participate in aquatics boot camp welcome in hydrotherapy pool from 6-6:45 AM. Staff pointed out sign & said “you can come at another time from now on. I responded, “Where can I file a grievance? I am doing everything I can do with my disabilities/injuries & working as hard as I can. I can’t lift my feet out of pool because I have none. This is the only time I can come as I work full time.” Well, it all worked out, but the damage was already done. Treading water for an hour as fast as I can has restored my failed heart, but this treatment broke my heart. I mean, heart wrenching to the point of sobbing broke. Be careful to not let your policies discriminate against others. It is better for all & your bottom line.

@Beth_Goulden What’s disgusting is this man got a lighter sentence than my autistic mentally ill brother who assaulted a BHT while a patient at ASH while in psychosis. My brother remains in jail to this day! Those that deserve a level of mercy never seem to receive it.

This is horrific. And the man accused was on probation in Maricopa County for aggravated assault w/deadly weapon. One year prison for disorderly conduct and on probation for the agg assault. A child was impaled and his mother died. Multiple petitions to revoke, dismissed, reinstated. This is the revolving door of our justice system.

@JakeHoffmanAZ @GeeslingMatthew @willhumble_az When you vote again…I want you to think of my brother’s face…think of who you are helping to fail should you vote against the bill again! You will undoubtedly be apart of the why my brother and others will suffer…I will pray for your heart to do the right thing.

@GeeslingMatthew @SommerMutter @willhumble_az The bill has problems and cedes far too much power to Katie Hobbs. Doing “something” just to do something isn’t good for Arizonans We have to do “something” right

My brother Darren was supposed to get help @ ASH. Instead he was abused,taunted,arrested & sits in jail. Mike Chavez didn't deserve to die by choking to death on a burrito while on a 1:1. This treatment will continue to happen until our legislators value our SMI loved ones lives.

@AZDavidGowan This is who you fail when you keep creating ASH bills that you openly admit according to @JakeHoffmanAZ : “This bill makes compromises in the name of “getting it signed” that aren’t worth making. The bill sponsor admitted as much to me on the floor today”

My mentally ill brother is still in jail after being arrested at ASH for their inadequate care…I’ve been screaming for change…but not ONCE has Gowan or any other Senator asked me or others what really goes on inside the hospital.

@JakeHoffmanAZ @GeeslingMatthew @willhumble_az Perhaps Gowan should have talked to the families/guardians who have had their loved ones die or be sent to jail from ASH to create a solid and effective bill to protect people like my brother.

Hit the nail on the head! 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻