Letters : Articles on Camarillo State Hospital

Most state hospitals, including Camarillo, have long been unsuited to serve as location shots for the 1948 film “The Snake Pit.” Yet the articles by James Quinn on March 9 about Camarillo and the mental health system are naive at best.

The fact that state mental hospitals now house a fraction of their peak capacity speaks of more than the miracles of modern drugs. Unfortunately, it speaks of a system in tremendous chaos, underfunded, understaffed and burnt out by the stranglehold of its own bureaucracy. Where have all the patients gone? Some have progressed beyond expectations with the help of psychotherapy. But the majority are in the streets or the jails or in inadequate board-and-care facilities. Many of these have been urged to plead their case to be discharged by well-meaning but misguided attorneys within the hospital system. Psychiatrists, of whom there are already too few hired to serve the hospitalized patients, are forced to spend hours in court trying to convince the judge that the patients need more help, instead of continuing through the revolving door.

Sure, it is comforting for the public to know that these are no longer “snake pits”; yet, we should not lull them into complacency. The question needs to be asked, “Where have all the patients gone?” . . . and answered honestly. After all, they need to be found before they can be treated!

I trained at Bellevue in New York City, and I consulted to Metropolitan State Hospital, so I am well aware of the issues academically and practically speaking.

CAROLE LIEBERMAN

Malibu