The case of death row inmate Andre Thomas offers a lens through which to examine the effects of a long underfunded mental health system and raises important questions about how Texas punishes the mentally ill. Texas has a long and unhappy history when it comes to mental health care. From the days of state-run asylums to underfunded local mental health services, those who have mental illness have faced daunting challenges finding care. During his troubled adolescence, lawyers for Thomas say he never received the mental health care he needed. In Texas, there are few mechanisms to diagnose and treat youths ...

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