Statement from the Connecticut Psychiatric Society on Hartford mental health crisis deaths

Hartford, Conn. — The Connecticut Psychiatric Society (CPS) mourns the tragic deaths of Everard Walker, 53, and Steven Jones, 55. Both men lost their lives during encounters that began as responses to mental health crises — moments when individuals and families are seeking help, safety and compassionate care. Our hearts are with their loved ones, and we recognize the impact they had on their communities. 

The deaths of two men of color during responses to mental health crises raise concerns about racial disparities and the potential role implicit bias may play during high-stress encounters. These tragedies underscore the urgent need to strengthen Crisis Intervention Team programs, commonly known as CIT, and improve coordination among law enforcement, mental health providers and hospital emergency services. Research shows CIT training equips police officers with tools to safely and effectively respond to mental health emergencies. 

Mental health crises are medical emergencies that require compassion, clinical expertise and response systems designed to de-escalate distress and protect life. CPS recognizes the complexity of these situations, which often unfold rapidly and under challenging circumstances. The deaths of Walker and Jones underscore the urgent need to strengthen Connecticut’s crisis response infrastructure so that individuals experiencing psychiatric emergencies are met, whenever possible, with trained mental health professionals and evidence-based interventions. 

Individuals and families should feel safe when seeking mental health assistance. Families should never feel deterred from seeking help out of fear that the response could result in irreversible harm. CPS calls on state and local leaders to expand Crisis Intervention Team training, strengthen implicit bias education and improve de-escalation strategies to ensure individuals experiencing psychiatric emergencies can access appropriate mental health treatment. 

The deaths of Walker and Jones must serve as a call to action so that every person experiencing a mental health crisis receives the care, dignity and protection they deserve. The Connecticut Psychiatric Society stands with the families and the Hartford community in grief — and in the shared determination to build a safer, more compassionate system of care that ensures timely access to mental health treatment.