Post by MarkeyWhat could the government do to help people with a mental health
condition?
Mark
First, I'd like to speak for Vern for a bit. Vern had been in California State
Hospital at DeWitt (a government run mental facility) in the beautiful town of
Auburn, California. He had mostly praise for how he was treated. Some of you
may remember his story. One day, the "great" Governor Regain decided to close
most of the mental hospitals in the state. That put Vern on the streets.
I don't remember any details, but Vern had a very hard time for many years. I
met him after he had found a better place in life.
So, to me, the first thing might be for the government to look at our State
hospital system and restore some of the facilities. That would help a lot of
homeless people with mental illness.
As we go through the process for national health care, we must be certain that
mental health is included--and not just marriage and family counseling. <eg>
I'd like to see mental health care provided with similar services in each state.
Right now, each state has it's own laws and rules and that creates a tremendous
inequity nationwide.
I'd like to see "halfway" houses to avoid acute hospitalizations. I envision
small facilities in neighborhoods that anyone in mental crises can go to in an
urgent situation, without the huge step of hospitalization. This service would
also include respite care for mother's who need a break. So, there would also
need to be a day care facility attached.
Services are split between the State and the County (in California). The State
provides services and support to providers (they also have a part in the
licensing process) and the counties. The State also runs two mental hospitals
and oversees mental health services in various institutions (mostly prisons).
IMO, the State does a lousy job of oversight and I blame that on mental health
being a lower priority in the budget process.
I only know about Sacramento County, but most counties in California operate in
a similar way. I've heard rumor that Orange County provides the best mental
health services--Mike (MC) told me that before he moved to Arizona. (btw, he is
SO happy in Arizona). It sounds like Arizona has pretty good mental health
coverage for those in low income categories.
In our county, there is ONE (count them--ONE) emergency mental health facility.
It isn't open 24 hours, because it's located in one of the worst neighborhoods
in the County. And it's located at one end of the County, making it virtually
impossible to get there from the North using public transportation.
JMO
Nancy
Just knockin' around the zoo. (James Taylor)
to email me, remove the Z