ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Jasmine Holliman was diagnosed with PTSD in 2011. She knows firsthand the benefit of having good mental health treatment. 

"My therapy has actually benefitted me immensely," Holliman said. "It's actually helped me be able to climb my career ladder. I actually work in healthcare finance. Where I wasn't able to function in a regular day to day job, now I'm a member of leadership, so therapy has helped me significantly."

Holliman knows the death of Daniel Prude in police custody sparked a dialogue about improvements that can be made to mental health services locally. That conversation continues, as Gates police decided to suspend sending mental health call subjects to Strong Memorial Hospital after a patient, who was under a mental hygiene arrest, was released without notifying police. Holliman believes changes need to be made. 

"Our medical personnel, they have a certain responsibility in regards to adequate treatment for each patient. They should not be releasing a mental health hygiene arrest without ensuring that they have adequate provisions set up for them outside of leaving their facilities," said Holliman. 

Khadijah Tillman, a mental health therapist, has worked in Rochester for close to 15 years. She said even though there are resources locally, there is room for improvement. 

"I don't think we're always able to provide the compassionate, thorough care that's needed,” said Tilman. “So, I know that the community is looking into alternatives to utilizing again law enforcement as well as the emergency rooms for these crisis situations.”

Tillman hopes that recent incidents can be a way to help improve communication between mental health providers locally.

"We have safe havens; peer-run safe havens that people can go to when people go to when we need support,” said Tillman. “You know we have agencies. We have private practice settings. We're just not all well-coordinated.”