LOCAL : Orange County Supervisors to Sue for Mental Health Services Funding

Decrying the inadequacy of mental health services in Orange County, the county Board of Supervisors today voted to sue the state for more money for hospitalization of mentally ill patients.

Although Orange County is the third largest of California’s 58 counties, only one other county receives less money from the state for hospitalization and treatment of the mentally ill.

The suit, which is expected to be filed later this week, will seek enough money each year to pay for 27 full-time beds for mental patients. The average now is about 10 beds per year.

In addition to the suit, the supervisors voted to send a letter to members of the county’s state legislative delegation urging them to do more to secure more money for county mental health services. In a sharp criticism of the lawmakers’ efforts, Supervisor Don Roth said: “They have not done enough battles for us.”