The time has long passed for this relic of Sheriff Arpaio’s regime to be closed down. Sheriff Penzone has shown he is willing to reform the jail to bring it in line with sound correctional practices, and to enhance public safety. The next step on this path is to shutter the SMU.

Arizona has an historic public health opportunity to use 93 acres of state-owned, deed-restricted land in the heart of Phoenix to create a 21st century psychiatric center of excellence. As always, the devil is in the details.

Treatment services are severely lacking for people who are diagnosed with mental illness and substance use disorders, and what some criticize as an outdated approach throws up obstacles in times of need.

Gov. Doug Ducey signed into law legislation allowing private companies to lease space on the hospital grounds to provide emergency and long-term psychiatric and behavioral health services.

Though it is too often ignored in the criminal justice reform dialogue, treating the mentally ill and drug addicted as patients instead of criminals should be a focal point for reform.

As the U.S. Senate mulls over the Republicans’ health care bill, the Better Care Reconciliation Act, local opponents are crying foul on behalf of a variety of people facing cuts to their Medicaid coverage.

The Arizona Criminal Justice Commission and several lawyers are laying the groundwork for a database to keep track of people who are under court-ordered mental-health treatment, a tool for police and judges.

Over the past nearly six years, I’ve witnessed a system of care that is making progress. There are still aspects of the service delivery that I think need continued, focused work; but, much forward momentum has been achieved, and the people served are benefitting. The key point here is that things are moving in the right direction.

As a physician on the front lines of the public behavioral health system in Maricopa County, I see lives being positively impacted every day thanks to a highly functioning, integrated system of care.

Just like diabetes and hypertension, mental illness is an ailment that is treatable — and if untreated can cause morbidity and mortality.