During a recent meeting of the Assembly Local Government Committee in California, Des Martinez, founder of the organization We Are Not Invisible, shared a harrowing personal account of the challenges faced by unhoused individuals during mental health crises. Martinez, who has lived experience with homelessness, recounted a distressing incident where he attempted to assist a street family member experiencing a mental health emergency.

Martinez described arriving at the scene to find the individual in a state of panic, using an umbrella to shield himself from perceived threats. He emphasized that the person was not dangerous but rather fearful, shaped by years of trauma and systemic neglect. In an effort to document the situation and advocate for mental health support, Martinez began filming the encounter. However, instead of receiving assistance, he was confronted by law enforcement, who arrested him despite his pleas for help on behalf of the individual in crisis.

The account highlighted the severe treatment Martinez received during his arrest, including painful handcuffing and a lack of medical attention while in custody. He expressed frustration over being treated as a criminal rather than a concerned advocate, underscoring the urgent need for better mental health crisis intervention strategies.

This testimony brought to light the broader issues surrounding the treatment of unhoused individuals and the systemic barriers they face when seeking help. The committee's discussions following Martinez's testimony may lead to increased awareness and potential policy changes aimed at improving mental health crisis responses in California.