By Marco Grajeda
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/krwg/local-krwg-497245.mp3
Las Cruces, NM – In New Mexico over 120,000 children and adults suffer from serious mental illnesses; including schizophrenia and manic depression. Many people including State Representative Joni Gutierrez feel that state isn't doing enough to help the mentally ill especially in southern New Mexico. Gutierrez proposed a legislative bill that would create an Assisted Outpatient Treatment Program or AOT. The program would allow courts to make sure some severely mentally ill residents take their medication. KRWG's Marco Grajeda has this report, the third of a five part series on mental health.