In The News
Arizona Mad Moms and our sister organization The Angry Moms have been featured by Psychiatric News, Bloomberg, C-SPAN, 12News, Arizona's Family, Cronkite News, PEOPLE Magazine, Arizona Capitol Times, and more.
2025 & 2026 Coverage
Treatment Interrupted
By Alexandra Markovich
FDA regulations around clozapine — the most effective antipsychotic for treatment-resistant schizophrenia — have long created bureaucratic barriers that cut patients off from the only medication that works for them. This investigative piece traces the story of Kevin Langemeier, a man with severe mental illness who was abruptly cut off from clozapine after his refill was denied because lab results failed to reach the pharmacy. Within days he spiraled into psychosis and was shot and killed by police. The article examines how overly restrictive monitoring requirements continue to block access to clozapine for patients who desperately need it — a fight Arizona Mad Moms knows well through our advocacy for Richard's Law.
Read Article →Former Rep. Tim Murphy on Mental Health Policy
By Washington Journal
Psychologist and former Rep. Tim Murphy (R-PA) discussed mental health policy in the U.S. on C-SPAN's Washington Journal, calling for federal action on serious mental illness. Murphy — who authored the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act — addressed the need for more hospital beds, more providers, assisted outpatient treatment, and the devastating consequences of the IMD Exclusion. Callers shared heartbreaking family stories echoing the same crises Arizona Mad Moms fights every day. Murphy highlighted organizations including the Treatment Advocacy Center and the National Shattering Silence Coalition.
Read Article →Peoria double homicide highlights mental health system failures, advocates say
By Amy Cutler
Arizona Mad Moms co-founders Rachel Streiff and Crystal Fox speak out following the murder of Scott and Tina Turk by their son Jonathan on March 31 — a tragedy they say was preventable. Prosecutors noted Jonathan had three mental health petitions filed in 2026 alone, yet no hospital bed was available. "I was not surprised at all. We've seen this story before," said Streiff. Fox added: "They sacrificed their lives for the community and the system, and the system failed. It wasn't their family that failed." The article spotlights Arizona's devastating bed shortage: nearly 63,000 people with severe mental illness enrolled in Medicaid, but fewer than 300 state hospital beds available. Arizona Mad Moms currently has two bills moving through the legislature.
Read Article →The Turk Family Tragedy: Untreated serious mental illness claims two more Arizona parents
By Sean Rice, Reporter
On 3/31/2026, Scott and Tina Turk lost their lives to their son Jonathan's untreated serious mental illness. Arizona Mad Moms was interviewed by Sean Rice of 12News, with two segments aired on 4/2/2026. We now count 17 parent homicides in Arizona in just the last 5 years. The Turks bravely fought for their son's treatment for years and paid the ultimate price of Arizona's failing SMI treatment system.
Read Article →Peoria man accused of murdering parents for 'putting him on medication'
By David Baker & Alexis Cortez
Jonathan Turk, 29, called police on himself after allegedly killing his parents Fraser Turk, 63, and Tina Turk, 56, with a hammer and knife at their Peoria home near 83rd Avenue and Jomax Road. Court documents state Turk told police he 'murdered his parents' because he got mad at them 'for putting him on medication.' He faces two counts of first-degree murder. Another devastating example of what happens when serious mental illness goes untreated in Arizona.
Read Article →One Year Later: The End of the Clozapine REMS
By Linda M. Richmond
One year after the FDA ended the Clozapine REMS, access to the medication remains limited as many clinics stay stuck in legacy bureaucracy. Arizona Mad Moms co-founder Rachel Streiff is quoted throughout, highlighting ongoing barriers: "At most clinics, nothing has changed." The article covers new Delphi monitoring guidelines published in Lancet Psychiatry that significantly reduce ANC monitoring requirements — and the slow adoption by clinicians still nervous about loosening oversight. Also featured: The Angry Moms and Arizona Mad Moms' introduction of Richard's Law, aimed at expanding clozapine access by requiring more support and flexibility for people with serious mental illness.
Read Article →Arizona advocates say untreated mental illness puts families in danger
By AZCentral News
Coverage of the Arizona Mad Moms Black Veil March and "I Am Michele Reiner" campaign at the Arizona State Capitol on opening day of the 2026 legislative session.
Read Article →When kids' mental illness turns violent, parents fear for safety
By Stephanie Innes, Health Reporter
Arizona Mad Moms co-founder Rachel Streiff and members share their experiences with violence and untreated psychosis. Features Nick Pera's recovery with clozapine. Reprinted by The Angry Moms, Arizona Mad Moms' sister organization advocating for clozapine access.
Read Article →I-Team exposes behavioral health fraud
By Erica Stapleton, I-Team Reporter
Parents are looking to state leaders to do a better job of weeding out behavioral health fraud.
Read Article →Are moms the new asylum? Gaps in Arizona's mental healthcare system leave parents with few options
By Erica Stapleton, I-Team Reporter
For several years, the I-Team has exposed bad outcomes from gaps in Arizona's mental healthcare system, from homelessness to incarceration to violence and even death. Beth Pera, a member of Arizona Mad Moms, said: "Moms have become the new asylum — we call it 'mom dumping.'"
Read Article →Crystal Fox: One Mother's Journey Through Tragedy
By Tony Mantar
Crystal Fox shares her heartbreaking journey as the mother of a son with schizophrenia and co-founder of Arizona Mad Moms. Through her dual perspective as both a parent and a psychiatric nurse with 30 years of experience, Crystal illuminates the critical gaps in our mental healthcare system.
Read Article →Major gap in our system: Arizona lacks secure facilities for people with serious mental illness
By Natalie Robbins
No easy answers for those with no place to go other than jail or the streets. This article features interviews with Arizona Mad Moms Co-Founders Crystal Fox and Rachel Streiff on funding and policy changes desperately needed to keep families safe.
Read Article →Crystal Fox speaks at Mental Illness Day at the Capitol
By End the Clozapine REMS
Arizona Mad Moms co-founder Crystal Fox speaks about her son Joshua, his father John, and their family's experience navigating the Arizona system of care for Serious Mental Illness.
Read Article →How This Mother Went to Extremes to Help Her SMI Son: 'He Knows He's Locked up Because of Mom'
By Alexandra Rockey Fleming
A true story about Arizona Mad Mom Frances M., an original hero of our movement. Like many people with serious mental illness who suffer from anosognosia, her son had been living on the streets before she found him help.
Read Article →Psychiatric bed shortage is a public health emergency
By Rachel Streiff, Guest Commentary
In 2024, the Arizona Mad Moms "took the Capitol by storm," passing four new Arizona laws relating to Serious Mental Illness. According to our governor, government agencies, and even the ACLU, Arizona has plenty of psychiatric bed capacity. We don't.
Read Article →Angry Moms Press FDA to Loosen Schizophrenia Drug Rules
By Robert Langreth, Senior Medical Reporter
Bloomberg's Prognosis Newsletter covers The Angry Moms' national efforts to end the FDA's harmful clozapine REMS program. Rachel Streiff is a founding member of The Angry Moms, Arizona Mad Moms' sister organization advocating for clozapine access.
Read Article →Patient Advocacy Groups Demand Significant Changes to Clozapine REMS
By Mark Moran, Senior Reporter
Psychiatric News covers The Angry Moms' "Negligence of the Week" emails and advocacy efforts to end the clozapine REMS. Rachel Streiff is a founding member of The Angry Moms, Arizona Mad Moms' sister organization fighting for clozapine access for individuals with treatment-resistant schizophrenia.
Read Article →Our Fight Is Making Headlines
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