We recently had an episode where my daughter was in inpatient care a week. She needed more, but that’s all the insurance would support. She left with some prescriptions for heavy-duty drugs and — at least in my opinion — not enough counseling to keep her from landing there again in the future. Fortunately, she has a good psychiatrist and psychotherapist who are doing some effective work with her.

The situation for those without adequate insurance is much more grim. Due to budget constraints, clinics and inpatient facilities are closing all over the place. Recently, the local NAMI chapter mobilized the community to prevent the closing of the regional inpatient facility that serves 4 counties — at least until next time the bean-counters are looking to cut stuff.

Despite the work of Mental Health America, NAMI and others the stigma of mental illness is not only healthy but growing. The media will do anything to get a laugh, and the society is wallowing in absurd misinformation about mental illness. I believe that this stigma is one of the reasons that mental health care is in such an abominable state in our country.

I think it will take a major governmental program to combat the stigma of mental illness, but with all the other demands for time and money, I don’t see this happening any time soon, if ever.

Sorry for the long reply. You hit two of my hot buttons!

As for the solution? I’m not sure. I think that having access to care before problems reach a crisis point would be a good start. When I was a teenager, I had inpatient treatment for depression – six full weeks. That’s unheard of today, for most people relying on insurance to pay. More housing that can also provide a supportive environment would be good. And I think educating people on the signs of mental illness and taking away the stigma would also help.

Thank you for this eye opening article, Mike.

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Living in a large city I see many homeless people that are obviously suffering from mental illness. If they get in trouble they are taken to jail overnight rather than getting the help they need.

It’s hard to know what I can do personally other than treating them with kindness, giving them a cigarette or food.

Similar to many cities, Philly is suffering from a budget crisis. I haven’t heard anything about programs for the mentally ill but have heard about cuts to homeless shelters – this can only be related.

Thank you for this article Mike.

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