Research at Camarillo

It was with tremendous regret that I read your Feb. 17 article on the closing of Camarillo State Hospital. Not so many years ago, California put itself in the national vanguard in the care and treatment of its mentally ill population with legislation funding appropriate interventions, treatments and follow-up of persons with psychiatric illnesses. California also led the way in implementing principles of patients’ rights, providing guarantees of standards of care, respectful treatment and protection of confidentiality and civil rights during and after treatment.

As clearly described in your article, social, behavioral and psychopharmacologic modalities either pioneered or investigated at the Camarillo Research Unit not only provided methods for helping the most disabled persons; such treatments have also continued on a widespread basis into the community and are now used by practitioners of many disciplines to help persons of all ages with a wide variety of difficulties ranging from habit disturbances to moderate anxiety and depressive conditions seen in everyday life.

California was once a national leader in the humane and informed treatment of its mentally ill citizens. There can be no major advantage in allowing that leadership to fall away.

RUTH A. FOX MD

Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist

Dana Point