Jim Desmond Frequently Mentioned Mental Health In Discussions About Other Issues, Including Homelessness And Gun Violence

2025: Desmond Said Mental Health Was A Root Causes Of Homelessness

2025: Desmond Said Mental Health And Addiction Were The Root Causes Of Homelessness. “Allowing people to suffer and die on our streets is not compassion—it’s failure. For years, California has poured billions into homelessness while ignoring the root causes: mental health and addiction. The new Executive Order focuses on treatment, recovery, and restoring safety is long overdue. I’ve seen firsthand what real solutions look like—like the Crisis Stabilization Units we’ve built in North County, giving people immediate care and a path to dignity. It’s time for action, not excuses.” [Jim Desmond, Twitter, 7/28/25]

Image: see original report, p. 61

[Jim Desmond, Twitter, 7/28/25]

2023: Desmond Said Homelessness In California Was “Not A Money Problem, It’s Mental Health And Drug Addiction.” “California spent nearly $10 billion on homelessness from 2018-2021. The results, more and more people are living on the streets. It is not a money problem, it’s mental health and drug addiction. Until we address the root cause, this will continue.” [Jim Desmond, Twitter, 2/16/23]

Image: see original report, p. 61

[Jim Desmond, Twitter, 2/16/23]

2023: Desmond Said Funds Used To Provide Legal Representation To Nearly 800 Immigrants Facing Deportation Should Be Used To Address Mental Health and Homelessness. “San Diego County provided attorneys to nearly 800 immigrants facing deportation in the first 15 months of a new program, leading to an increase in legal representation for immigrants in the region and a growing number of courtroom wins, according to a report. […] Desmond and Anderson said the county should not spend money on immigration cases — which they characterized as a federal issue outside of the county’s responsibility. They said the funds should be used on pressing local issues, such as homelessness and mental health.” [San Diego Union-Tribune, 10/8/23]

2023: In Discussing His Opposition To Advancing A Gun Violence Study, Desmond Said The Focus Should Be On The “Mental Health Crisis”

2023: In Discussing His Opposition To Advancing A Gun Violence Study With Recommendations, Desmond Said, “We’re Dealing With A Mental Health Crisis. That’s Absolutely Where The Focus Needs To Be.” “The San Diego County Board of Supervisors has failed to advance a study on gun violence along with recommendations, with supervisors deadlocking Tuesday on a 2-2 vote. Prepared by Health Assessment and Research for Communities, the study offered statistics, public input, key findings and methods to lessen the problem, including safe gun storage. Board Chairwoman Nora Vargas and Vice Chair Terra Lawson-Remer voted in favor of the study, while Supervisors Joel Anderson and Jim Desmond were opposed. According to the county board clerk, the board may consider formally approving the report at a future meeting. […] But Desmond said the report showed him that ‘we're dealing with a mental health crisis. That's absolutely where the focus needs to be.’” [NBC 7, 7/18/23]

2023: Desmond Voted Against Advancing a Gun Violence Study, Which Failed To Pass. “The San Diego County Board of Supervisors has failed to advance a study on gun violence along with recommendations, with supervisors deadlocking Tuesday on a 2-2 vote. Prepared by Health Assessment and Research for Communities, the study offered statistics, public input, key findings and methods to lessen the problem, including safe gun storage. Board Chairwoman Nora Vargas and Vice Chair Terra Lawson-Remer voted in favor of the study, while Supervisors Joel Anderson and Jim Desmond were opposed.” [NBC 7, 7/18/23]

  • The Study Came After A 3-Year-Old Accidentally Shot And Killed His 1-Year-Old Sister In Fallbrook. “The San Diego County Board of Supervisors has failed to advance a study on gun violence along with recommendations, with supervisors deadlocking Tuesday on a 2-2 vote. […] Vargas said the study was especially important and cited Monday's death of a 1-year-old girl who was accidentally shot and killed by her 3-year-old sibling in Fallbrook.” [NBC 7, 7/18/23]

2023: San Diego Union-Tribune: “Desmond Said He Did Not Support The Recommendations In Large Part Because He Believed They Did Not Focus Enough On Mental Health, Which He Sees As A Root Cause Of Gun Violence, Homelessness And Other Societal Issues.” “In a split vote, the county Board of Supervisors on Tuesday rejected recommendations intended to curb gun violence, including efforts to give away gun locks. The recommended strategies were included in a board-commissioned report that was released a few weeks ago and took a close look at the prevalence of gun violence across the county, including suicides and homicides. […] Desmond said he did not support the recommendations in large part because he believed they did not focus enough on mental health, which he sees as a root cause of gun violence, homelessness and other societal issues. ‘I think a mental health-centered approach is necessary to combat these complex issues,’ Desmond said during the meeting. ‘I would like to keep the county focused on mental health and safe storage to save lives.’” [San Diego Union-Tribune, 7/18/23]

2022: Desmond Called Mental Health Issues The Root Cause Of Mass Shootings

2022: Desmond Called Mental Health Issues The Root Cause Of Mass Shootings. “Fletcher and Lawson-Remer made the proposal, under which Chief Administrative Officer Helen Robbins-Meyer will develop recommendations -- after consulting with the county sheriff and other relevant departments -- for cooperating with other law enforcement agencies to receive weapon seizure reports. Robbins-Meyer will later return to the board with options for legal actions against gun manufacturers. Desmond said that while he's in favor of stemming the tide of gun violence, it's better to focus on mental health issues, which he called the root cause of mass shootings. He advocated for more enforcement of existing laws, and said he favors harsher penalties for illegal gun use.” [KPBS, 6/14/22]

  • After Mass Shootings In Uvalde And Buffalo, Desmond Voted Against Seeking Policy Recommendations That Would Enable The County To Sue Gun Manufacturers For Deaths Caused By Firearms. “In the wake of recent mass shootings in Uvalde, Texas, Buffalo and elsewhere, San Diego County supervisors voted 3-2 today to seek out policy recommendations that would enable the county to sue gun manufacturers for deaths caused by firearms. Supervisors Nathan Fletcher, Terra Lawson-Remer and Nora Vargas voted in favor, while their colleagues Joel Anderson and Jim Desmond were opposed.” [KPBS, 6/14/22]

Source report (PDF)