Readers React: L.A. County is doing its part on mental illness

The Times got two things right: Men’s Central Jail does need to come down, and diverting people whose offenses stem from mental illness into proper treatment is a better strategy. (“L.A.’s jails: Where not to treat the mentally ill,” Editorial, May 4)

However, it should be noted that the L.A. County Department of Mental Health has operated a court diversion program for people with mental illness since the mid-1990s. This same program was expanded to all Superior Courts using Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) funding several years ago. The county operates multiple other diversion programs that are expanding.

The Board of Supervisors directed the Mental Health Department a year ago to investigate the implementation of Laura’s Law, for which funding is included in the department’s MHSA plan coming to the board in June. The county is putting together a pre-booking diversion program modeled on successful efforts elsewhere.

Finally, and most crucially, The Times does not acknowledge that the new jail proposed for downtown presupposes the robust diversion of people with mental illness, expanding on what is already taking place, and includes treatment space for those suffering from dementia, traumatic brain injury and substance abuse.

A fuller recognition of programs already in place would lead to a better discussion of this important issue.

Marvin J. Southard

Los Angeles

The writer is director of the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health.