When the people of Minnesota decided to improve mental health treatment by closing state hospitals and moving to a community-based model, it was a giant step forward.
However, the move to community-based care has been very slow and inadequate, and some individuals and families have been unable to get help and treatment in a timely manner, often allowing a simple condition to worsen. When families, teachers, law enforcement, and the courts do not have treatment options available, people can be sent to jail where they do not receive proper treatment. This costs taxpayers far more than good treatment. Diversion from the criminal-justice system reduces financial and human costs and gives a person a chance at recovery.
Not only is our state short of all sorts of mental health professionals and caregivers, our schools are unable to afford enough counselors, psychologists, school nurses, and other personnel to recognize, help, and treat young people early when intervention is most effective.
If you have experience with or recognize a system that lacks needed resources, you want to be sure our state Legislature has enough legislators who are knowledgeable in the mental health field and who are willing and effective in getting the necessary tools our state needs.
This election season, visit the websites of the candidates, listen to what they say, and let them know how important this issue is to you. Ask questions in person and at forums about their precise plans and funding proposals for more resources, including education; for recruiting more professionals; and for providing more school and community resources. We can do this if we elect a Legislature committed to it.
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Mary Alice Harvey
Duluth
