Mental illness: A problem that this state must take seriously

Mental health problems affect people from all levels of society. One never knows when you or a member of your family will be affected, but the resources for help are practically nil in this state.

Western State Hospital was an excellent facility but the governor has let it deteriorate by placing administrators who appear not to have a clue about mental health and not providing enough funding for the facility to do its job. The patients here have very serious problems and can’t deal successfully in society.

I know schools are important. Everyone thinks their child should go to college, but some children don’t have the ability to do so. Each child should be trained to reach his or her potential, but that is not always college. Some children you are pushing will end up with mental health problems. We need to be prepared to handle them. That needs to start now.

This story was originally published September 6, 2016 at 3:32 PM with the headline "Mental illness: A problem that this state must take seriously."