Mental Health Funds Battle

I seriously question the conclusion that Quiroz would have “been a lot better off if his department had not received over $20 million in new state funds this year.”

This new funding was far from being a windfall or a “real bonus.” Every bit of it, and more, was needed to address the urgent priorities we have in creating a sound and effective mental health system for our county.

It is clear to me that if the governor had not vetoed $28 million for Community Mental Health and $34 million for Shelter for the Homeless, Quiroz’ first year as our county mental health director would have been smoother and less surrounded by controversy. We certainly would have been spared the specific dilemma caused by having to sacrifice community-based mental health services in order to have more beds for psychiatric patients at the Olive View Hospital.

The political decision-makers need a fuller understanding of the fact that with more effective community-based mental health care, i.e. adult day treatment, residential living centers and out-patient care, we can greatly reduce the need for more expensive hospital care.

Since Vollmer’s article did not mention it, I must point out that the East Los Angeles community continues to be shortchanged with respect to mental health funding. El Centro’s Community Mental Health Center and other East L.A. mental health providers have long been aware that our service areas are severely underfunded.

It is disheartening that our mental health service providers and support staff, who normally must deal with stress and disappointment, should have to endure the additional stress and sense of futility that can result from cuts in personnel and services.

ALFONSO BAEZ MD

Los Angeles