Bucks family’s struggle with Pa.’s mental health system

Kim Stringer has struggled with mental illness for a decade, but her parents can't get her committed. Why a recent change in state law meant to help doesn't go far enough.

Air Date: July 22, 2019

Martha Stringer holds a photo of her daughter, Kim, from when she was in high school. Kim is 27 now. (Brett Sholtis/WITF)

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Bucks County resident Kim Stringer has been struggling with mental illness for a decade and has refused treatment. Her parents have turned to involuntary commitment as a last resort, but Pennsylvania law has worked against them. WITF health reporter Brett Sholtis explains why a recent change in state law meant to keep people like Kim from falling through the cracks doesn’t go far enough.

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