It saddened me to read that the supervisors of this county fail to see the positive implications of Kristy Kelly”s vision of a decent facility to house mental health clients.
One of the first jobs I had after moving to Lake County in 1993 was for the Department of Mental Health. I was an after hours crisis worker. It was a harrowing job, not only because of the constant exposure to intense human suffering, but because there were so few resources to help those who were put in my charge.
I was often called to the jail when the police deemed a person to be in need of psychiatric evaluation rather than being imprisoned. The choice between jail and a psychiatric facility is not always appropriate and can lead to the institutionalization of those, who, with a little support, could get their lives back on track. Referral to a living situation such as Kristy envisions would expedite this. Taking care of the mentally ill is a sign of a civilized community. Sending mental health clients to dingy motels and halfway houses is not helpful. It is marginalizing and depressing. The most healing treatment for those in distress is the knowledge that there is somewhere to go, and that there are people who care.
The fine property Kristy has found could become a center not only for the healing and care of mental health clients, but also a training ground for those interested in careers in the various therapies and trainings that are helpful to those in transition.
Supervisors think it over and please reconsider.
Jacqueline Farley
Lakeport
