Accident – death – Obituary News :

BRODHEADSVILLE, MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Vigil Calls for Greater Mental Illness Awareness in Memory of Christian Hall

Family and friends of a late teenager are joining state officials in a plea for increased awareness of mental illness. They held a poignant vigil on Sunday in the Poconos, marking three years since the teen’s tragic death during a confrontation with the police.

The vigil took place inside the Pleasant Valley Assembly of God Church in Brodheadsville, where Christian Hall was remembered and honored. The gathering served as a platform to demand change in the way individuals suffering from mental health disorders are handled.

Christian’s mother, Fe Hall, spoke passionately about the need to prevent further loss of life due to mental health crises. “We take this opportunity to spread awareness because we don’t want any more families to experience the devastating loss we have endured,” she said.

In December 2020, 19-year-old Christian Hall was fatally shot by Pennsylvania State Police on an overpass above Interstate 80 near Stroudsburg. Troopers believed he was holding a semi-automatic weapon, which was later identified as a pellet gun. In the chaos of the situation, they opened fire, tragically ending his life.

The Monroe County District Attorney’s Office ruled the shooting justifiable, but it highlighted the urgent need to address mental health crises more effectively.

Fe Hall emphasized the importance of providing better mental health access and resources. State officials are backing the family’s cause, advocating for improved crisis response systems. State Representative Maureen Madden is pushing for a three-digit, life-saving hotline (988) to be widely advertised.

“When someone calls 911, I want them to be assessed with a few simple questions to determine whether they need to be connected with 988 or 911,” Madden stated. She emphasized the need to promote the hotline through various channels, such as bulletin boards, television commercials, and text messages.

Madden revealed that $100,000,000 has been allocated in the state budget for Pennsylvania schools. She hopes that a portion of this funding can be directed towards the implementation and proper functioning of the 988 hotline.

The Hall family wants individuals struggling with mental health issues to know that they are not alone and should reach out for help. Fe Hall expressed empathy, recognizing the immense loneliness and helplessness that people in crisis often feel. She encouraged them to find someone to talk to, as seeking support could potentially alter the trajectory of their lives.

During the vigil, the Asian Pacific Islander Political Alliance Officials also petitioned for the establishment of crisis units across Pennsylvania. Madden urged residents of Monroe County to contact their lawmakers and support a new state bill focused on mental health awareness.

By organizing this vigil and speaking out, the Hall family and their supporters aim to bring attention to the urgent need for improved mental health resources and crisis response systems. Their hope is that no more lives will be lost due to mental health crises, and that individuals in need will receive the necessary support and care.

.