Mental Health Care Funding

It is no secret that the jails in Ventura County have become the chief repository of its seriously mentally ill citizens. If fortunate enough to avoid incarceration for minor offenses, the mentally ill are left to wander the streets aimlessly, seeking solace or refuge.

But state Sen. Cathie Wright (R-Simi Valley) has vowed that “over my dead body” will funds be allotted to Ventura County for its mental health programs. Is she looking for a solution or has she become part of the problem?

What’s at stake? The $5.4 million in special funding the county receives each year from the state Department of Mental Health to implement comprehensive, multidisciplinary Systems of Care. Even though in the past the program never delivered some of the legislation’s most basic mandates, such as 24-hour access to care and single point of responsibility, the current administration under the direction of Pierre Durand and Dr. David Gudeman has undertaken a range of changes and innovations to bring Systems of Care into greater compliance with the original vision. There is every reason to believe these top medical administrators will help create better procedures.

Now, it seems, Sen. Wright has recanted her statement and apparently reversed her position to say she never said she would be responsible for denying funds to the mentally ill. If that is her current position, let us be the first to applaud and commend her.

It would be appropriate if Supervisor Susan Lacey were also more recalcitrant. It is hard to understand her comments, quoted in The Times, that she has no regrets about her leadership in the county’s costly, ill-fated attempt to merge the Behavioral Health Department with Human Services.

The Systems of Care and a willing administration are in place. Dr. Gudeman has accepted the responsibility to see that the ideals of the legislation are implemented. It makes sense for us all, including Sen. Wright and Supervisor Lacey, to offer support for these efforts and to assist their success.

ED NANI

President,

National Alliance for the Mentally Ill,

Ventura County Chapter