Mental Health Woes

Any money the Board of Supervisors hopes to save by making cuts in mental health is false economy--these cuts will actually end up costing us more in the long run, in dollars and, most certainly, in human suffering. Do not be deceived that those currently being served in outpatient services are the “worried well”; they are instead those with severe psychiatric illness or crisis.

Cuts in services to these populations will only result in decompensation and hospitalization in the already overtaxed Hillcrest facility or the constantly full crisis residences. Of those who must be turned away, some will commit murder or suicide, resulting in lawsuits against the county.

I urge San Diegans to contact their supervisors urging them to direct the chief administrative officer to spare mental health from budget cuts. We must not balance our budgets on the backs of the indigent mentally ill.

LINDA MOONEYHAM-HAMMOND

San Diego