Widow presses for assistance for mental illness patients

(Information in the following story is from: Tulsa World, http://www.tulsaworld.com)

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (AP) – The widow of Oklahoma’s slain labor commissioner wants a legislative committee to support assisted outpatient treatment for the mentally ill.

Mark Costello died August 23rd, and police say his son Christian stabbed him multiple times at an Oklahoma City restaurant. The Tulsa World reports that Costello’s widow Cathy Costello went before a legislative committee Tuesday to ask it to make changes to state law that would help those needing medicine to continue taking it.

At the hearing Costello revealed that she and her husband spent years trying to help their son in his struggle with mental illness. Because he refused his medication, Costello said her son would have been a "perfect candidate" for such services.

Costello has asked Governor Mary Fallin to appoint her as labor commissioner. She hopes to use the position to raise awareness about the issue.