Peoria woman still pushing for more mental health resources after 1998 tragedy [Video]

PEORIA, AZ (AZFamily) — A Peoria woman who says her nephew shot and killed his mother and then himself during a psychotic episode more than 20 years ago says access to mental health care has not improved.

Denise Ackerman says a recent case where a Chandler teen turned the gun on his parents during a mental health crisis is similar to her own story.

Families of both young men say they were previously turned away from the in-patient treatment they needed.

For the past 26 years, Ackerman has been hoping that the diagnosis and treatment of severe mental illness in Arizona would improve but believes it hasn’t.

New numbers appear to back up her claim.

Mental Health America ranked Arizona the 49th state in the nation for adult mental health care.

“Matthew was diagnosed as schizophrenic at about 16 years old. He was this gorgeous blonde-haired, blue-eyed,” said Ackerman.

Ackerman says she moved to Arizona under unfortunate circumstances after her sister Marilyn Brower was …