Mental Health Cuts Called Unfair

My brother has been a mental patient affected by the county Department of Mental Health in Los Angeles for 10 years, and, once again, the recent budget cuts for mental health patients (Times, July 21) are embarrassing and unfair. This trend reflects a neglectful public attitude toward those who are mentally ill; a group who never knows what board and care, medication, or hospital bed will be available next.

With continuing mental health fund cuts, schizophrenics with inadequate or no insurance policies will soon add to the growing number of homeless and criminals. How ludicrous it is that only then will the public move to their side.

BILLY LEVINE

Santa Monica