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Some of the comments that petition signers have left on the
Adult Schools Info. petition to urge Sacramento County Board of Supervisor to
Board & Care Homes stop budget cuts of mental health services
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http://savementalhealthservices.org/
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Elisabeth A"Maneely: "I am a former Sacramentan
Clinical Social Workers who left the area because the mental health system in
Sacramento was lacking. To think of cutting is further is
Conservatorship
down right frightening. I now reside in Hot Springs, Arkansas
Counseling Services where I attend a weekly group for free, see a psychiatrist for
a limited fee, and also see a therapist weekly for a reduced
Dental Service Options rate. And that's Arkansas, folks! Is Sacramento becoming
the back woods of mental health care??!",
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ESL/Citizenship DAVID COLEMAN: "It always seems that the decision
makers attack the most vulnerable citizens whenever they
Health plan questions fail to fulfill their obligation as trustees of our community
finances. In most cases, it is the unwillingness of the
Housing Options decision makers to take responsiblity for their failed fiscal
policies. It is time that the Board put aside it's arogance
Job Seeker Resources
and ""Do The Right Thing"" by not placing the burden of its
Licensed Edu Psychologist failed fiscal policies on the backs of the mentally ill, the
elderly or the poor- Please do not cut the care these
Links to Other Resources citizens desperately need--David Coleman",
LEGAL SERVICES BernadetteStafford: "It is imperative that children get
the mental health and rehabilitation services they need to
Local Public Library
become productive and healthy members of society. They
Local Colleges are our future and we have an obligation to support this
effort.",
M. & Family Therapists
Emily Tupper: "I am a professional social worker in the
Mental Health Professionals
healthcare field. Each day I am faced with the unfortunate
realities of the lack of mental health care resources for
Need Help with Utility
Steve Lefler: "Without adequate funding for outpatient
mental health services the number of homeless people in
Sacramento county will rise dramatically (blowing away the
10 year plan to end homelessness) as well as the number of
incarcerations. The demands on the already over-capacity
SCMHTC will increase dramatically creating an even larger
financial shortfall. The amount of money it takes to provide
days worth of outpatient services is equal to 1 (one) night in
the treatment center. How does it make sense to create an
even higher demand for an already over-burdened and VERY
expensive solution such as hospitalization."
David J.Hanks: "I believe that if they make cuts in
Mental Health funding in Sacramento, County it will make
the organizations that are available that much more crowded
and un-able to get help to the individuals who need help and
especially those who are not even aware they need help
and/or have just given up. There are a lot of people who won't
seek treatment for the simple reasons of over-crowding or
having to wait months just to see a Doctor. As it is now a lot
of people avoid help for these reasons. Surly, cutting funding
for Mental Health should not even be close to be considered
for cuts in funding.","I was homeless for 14 years, so I know
how important and instrumental Mental Health services are. I
have never in my 14 years of homelessness came across a
city where intervening with concerned people was so
available and instrumental for a person to be moving foward,
becoming a law abiding citizen, responsible, and can
actually see light at the end of the tunnel. I hope all these
Need Help with Utility realities of the lack of mental health care resources for
Sacramento County residents. Additional cuts in services
NGP Pharmacy List would have a significant impact on the healthcare and social
services systems. The resources that we have are
NO to Mental Health Cuts important and I consider them to be invaluable. I urge you to
avoid further cuts to Sacramento County Mental Health
Office of Huma Rights
services as this would cause a great disservice to the
Thrift store people of Sacramento county.",
Sacramento Therapists David Harrington: "Eliminating or limiting the 4 RSTs
will result in almost 9000 people finding themselves further
SACRAMENTO PSYCHIATRISTS
marginalized. The economy and the accomapnying
pressures will surely result in a significant increase in the
SACRAMENTO PSYCHOLOGISTS
number of people in need of and seeking mental health
Psychological Association services for the first time; or perhaps the first time in a while.
The possibilities for folks in either situation mentioned are
Room & Board Homes grim to say the least. Our choices now will either help or
hinder the overall wellbeing of thousands of people. That
Youth AOD
needs to remain in the forefront of everyone's mind.",
Yoth Bereavement
Marielle Brandt: "I train master's level mental health
Youth Eating Disorders clinicians and also provide training to mental health
clinicians in Sacramento county. California is behind many
Youth Support Services
states in the area of mental health - we need more mental
health clinicians and more cutting edge training to provide
Victims of crime
comprehensive mental health services to our community
U.C.R. SACRAMENTO members. Our children and families are hurting already due
to the lack of services. California is already lacking
Listen to Radio ""prevention"" programs that are geared toward keeping
people in the work force and addressing needs of children
Watch Television
and families. Cutting funds in mental health services will
only exacerbate a full range of problems (including crime,
About SACPROS
homelessness, etc.) that we are already suffering from in our
communities.Please consider the future of your children and
grandchildren. We all want safe and healthy communities in
which they can thrive after we are all gone. Vote against any
cuts to mental health in our state.",
Arnold Golub: "Funding for Mental Health Services must
be continued. Individuals with access to Mental Healh
Services are able to maintain a job, pay taxes, and remain a
productive member of Society. Those who are unable to
receive such support increase costs to the community.",
Leigh Bennett: "There are far tooo many people who
need mental health care, especially those who are fighting
chronic illnesses with no support system in place. Please
do not cut these services, so many people could benefit
from these services!"
Naomi Hagerdon: "I don't even live in Sac. I live in the
bottom half of Fresno county. Our mental health system has
been repeatedly receiving cuts and it shows. Too many
people with too many problems that it has become an
overload for a society that doesn't give a damn. The problem
is that nobody takes mental health seriously, it's a little
taboo. something meant to be swept under the rug glossed
over and fed a pill. That pisses me off. To top it off what little
funding was coming in is now gone. More people are going
to suffer, especially with job/money loss, that we are all
seeing with this recession. The California government wants
to make cut backs? How about to their salaries? Oh no that
issues I have mentioned have been addressed by the
appropiate people. Sincerly yours, David J. Hanks"
Kelli Evans: "Mental Health services have suffered
through decades of funding cuts. Statistics show the
overwhelming results of the outpatient services saving the
county money. Who gets to decide that mental health is a
lesser service needed by our community? Why is this even
an issue? So, taxpayers should pay more taxes for minimal
services and 'band-aide' type treatment! Like going to the ER
for a shot of Ativan? No!! WE should pay for services which
are proven and effective to assist our community with the
treatment of people with psychiatric disabilities. Before
these cuts are made, the statistics should be considered.
The people in our community rely on these services. Their
well-being is as valuable as yours and mine. I urge you to
consider all of the comments given in this petition. If this
was YOUR; mother, father, sister, brother, how would you
vote?",
Gabriel Aiello: "Rights for all = Not cutting funding for
health care.","We clearly understand that something must
be done to solve the the budget problem, but this does not
mean the County needs to turn its back on individuals and
family members affected by the disabling effects of mental
illness. We implore you to do everything in your power to
stop the budget cuts of mental health services."
Linda Pulido: "Please do not cut funding in the mental
health area. Without this services person that are in dire
psych services end up in our prison system. Which in the
long run cost us more money. I strongly feel we must keep
this service open to help those at time that they can be help
before it reaches a hopeless situation for them and us.
Linda Pulido",
Cathy,Burnett: "The mentally ill are already underserved
in our city. Cuts will lead to more homeless people in danger
on our city streets instead of making progress towards
recovery in a mental health treatment center.",
Carol Allen: "I urge our Board of Supervisors to stop cuts
to mental health services because this may lead to more
expensive consequences such as increased prison rates,
costs of hospitalizations, homelessness and rise in cost"
Mark Hopkins: "In my work with Jail Psychiatric
Services, I already see the impact of individuals that do not
receive mental health care. There is an expectation that we
will become busier because we will see more untreated
individuals come into custody.",
Shirley Telep: "I have been a mental health professional
for the last 12 years and have watched the declining level of
mental health functioning of families in Sacramento county
as the economy has worsend. This has directly impacted
parents ability to parent their children, and as a result
children are suffering. Please don't cut these vitally needed
services at a time when they are so desparately needed to
help these children and their families survive these difficult
economic times.",
to make cut backs? How about to their salaries? Oh no that
would be too close to home. Don't worry none of the crazies
will notice that they're out of meds, Who cares if another nut
job hurts someone or kills themselves, it out of our hands
now. This is such crap and I am more than happy to stand
up against this. Sincerely,
Aja R."TIDWELL: "Because I have worked in the Mental
Health System, and have also had family with Mental Illness
I feel that stopping the funding would be wrong!!! Please DO
NOT make these patients suffer because like it or not THEY
ARE PEOPLE TOO!!!!!","Aja R. Tidwell"
Jacob Robertson: "To our Board of Supervisors, I
plead. As you consider the relative costs and benefits of
leaving many of the mentally ill without treatment or services
they depend on in the community, ask yourself: How will
these budget cuts affect the mentally ill individuals and the
taxpayers?"
Michael Savasta: "Healing the sick should have more priority
in the budget"
Andrew Wainwright: "I'm from England. Cutting
funding for mental health research and treatment, especially
drug free, spritual & counselling and holistic treatments,
means more people will end up in JAIL, simple as that!",
Amy Jensen RN: As a Psych RN in a outpt clinic and
a current Psych Nurse Practitioner student graduating in
June this year, I am unnerved by the lack of regard for our
most vulnerable population. With no funding to the County
Psych clinics, over 8,000 mentally ill adults will have no
access to services including medication management and
case management that have been shown to reduced
recidivism rates in psychiatric hospitals. I urge you to
reconsider your allocation of funding as a decrease in
mental health services will only increase the number of out
clients that use the psych inpt hospitals and the ER...and
the ones that do not utilize those will still be costing us
more money with an increase of police activity due to being
off their medications and not having case management
services. Even if they have Medi-Cal, these clients can not
be seen at their PCP office adequately. If this was your
daughter, son, mother, father, wife or husband....what would
you want for them???"
VICKI FERRIS: Please don't hurt a group who is already
at the mercy of society that has failed them in so many
ways, please don't make it worse. Remember this will harm
all of us ultimately.",
Karla Edwards-McCain: "Receiving services from
mental helath programs has truly impacted my life. I think
that if people would take the time to see outside of
themselves, for just a moment, I believe that you would see
why these types of programs are greatly needed and are
important to society. I don't know where I'd be without
them.",
Elizabeth Petersen: "In addition to maintaining all the
beneficial services to the mental health consumers of
economic times.",
Nancy White: "Board of supervisors please look at the
cost that can be saved. I work in the Sacramento Jail
system. We work with the mentally ill in prison whose
judgement/behavior and decision makingis faulty. They do
well on medications and with a person or people for support,
but will not be able to continue their medicatioons or therapy
to teach them/ role model/and advocate for them if the
budget for them is cut. They will be usung more money if
they go to jail/prison/or psychiatric hospitals then for RST's
and other resources which already have waiting lists. Please
re,member they can be functioing members of society if on
mediactions. Most mental illnesses are biologically based
which makes them phsically ill. Are cuts in serious medical
care being cut simarly?",
David Schroeder: "When the services are cut the
county will be in violation of the Omstead Act and open to
being sued. With no services provided more of our comunity
will end up seeking sevices in the Jail or the treatment
center which will cost more money. Or they will end up dead
and the Board of Supervisors will be directly responsable for
those deaths. I just wish we could hold the county
accountable",
Erin Ahern: "Cutting funding for mental health services is
not good long term planning for a healty community.",
Amy Green: "The mental health services that WE
providers offer ARE making a difference in the lives of the
client/patient and the community. If these services were
taken away, where would that leave everyone... with
unmanaged mental conditions on the streets and in our
neighborhoods, no where to treat them, and no one to even
give a diagnosis that will matter because there is no care to
offer them or their families.",
Diane Lucas: "As a family member, I have experienced
the direct coorelation between reducing funding and reducing
services. We cannot afford to reduce community services
further. By doing so, we simply increase the cost of
emergency services to this population.",
Russell Lim: "As a former Medical Director of Northgate
Point RST for five and one half years, I support the continued
operation of the RST'S. These clinics are the only thing
between thousands of patient's and the county's inpatient
mental health services. Closing the RST's is a penny wise
pound foolish idea, as it would result in cost shifting, from
outpatient care, which is inexpensive, and inpatient, which is
very expensive. This is not to mention the indirect costs of
higher law enforcement involvement with mentally ill
patients.The County needs the safety net that the RST's
provide.","Type any additional comment (optional). I urge
our Board of Supervisors to stop cuts to mental health
services because this may lead to more expensive
consequences such as increased prison rates, costs of
hospitalizations, homelessness and rise in cost"
Geneva Bechtel: "We have an overwhelming amount of
Sacramento County, please also consider keeping mental
health professionals employed, so as not increase the
steadily rising unemployment rate in Ca, and to leave the
burden of care for mental health clients in the hands of
already skilled professionals. Do not burden other state or
county entities with the care of the unique needs of mental
health clients.",
Alexis Bernard: "I oppose cuts of mental health
services because of the fiscal impact that a reduction in
these services would have on our county. Reducing these
services will cost far more as the individuals receiving the
services will undoubtedly end up in our jails and hospitals.
There will also be an increase in emergency police calls,
inappropriate utilization of emergency services, psychiatric
hospitalizations and arrests/incarcerations.",
Susan Miner: "I have already seen the impact of the
cuts in sacramento. I see people sleeping behind trash
cans at various stores around the sacramento area.
Additional cuts will only increase this problem making
Sacramento a depressed and sad area to live. Nobody
should have to live like that. Please do what you can to put
an end to more cuts in mental health.",
Kim Warren: I work in the field and I also have a sister
with mental issues. There are to many people with mental
issues that need support. So please think about not cutting
funds for mental health services.",
Carol,Dufner,Sacramento,California,"United States","I have
worked very hard to help get Proposition 63 passed. To
take from it or any other budget belonging to mental health
is unconscionable. Do not balance a budget on the backs
of those less fortunate than we are. What an awful Karma
one sets for themselves.",
Kathi Huckaby: "The residents of Sacramento and the
surrounding community should be the last people that need
to suffer from proposed budget cuts in mental health, as
they need these services even more so now with the failing
economy. The reductions will cost taxpayers much more by
increasing costs in hospitals, emergency sources, CPS and
APS, and the criminal justice system. This plan would be
counterproductive given these economic times!",
CarrieCerezo: "Mental Health services are so important
to our students in our martial arts studio. Please don't cut
their services. Thank you, Carrie Cerezo",
Stephanie Hughes: "As a society we have in recent
years begun to realize the value of offering Mental Health
services to all strata of society. My brother in Hawaii has
been able to become a productive member of society due to
interventions he received in this area. His comment as he
proceeds in his 5 th year of recovery is : ""there should be
counseling centers on every corner!"" As a society we need
to broaden not reduce our efforts!!",
Larry Wittmeyer: "Once again California is proposing to
break its promise to provide adequate community based
services to Mental Health consumers. Now we want to drive
people needing psychiatric patients in the Sacramento
area. Cutting Mental services would jeopardize the safety of
patients, their children, and society. Many of our patients
have children, that are already at risk of being removed from
their families. Patients would flood the ER rooms in crisis
situations.",
Yvonne Herbert: "I have suffered from mental illness for
17 years. Without the help of NAMI, my voice would not be
heard. There is a stigma that goes along with mental
illness. Organizations that help the mentally ill also help us
to have other persons to relate to, so we don't feel alone.
There is superb training, both on recovery and
pharmaceuticals that has helped managing my illness be
easier. Please do not cut our budget. We have so little
money as it is. If you cut any more, we will cease to
exhist...not only programs, but we as a subset of the
community. Our voice will be extinguished.",
Janice Massie: "I urge the BOS to examine the actual
costs of eliminating outpatient services for mental health
clients. I am the parent of a transition-age youth that
currently receives medication management from
Sacramento County. Without his medication, he becomes
actively psychotic and paranoid. He is mentally impaired
and his judgement and reactions are not the same as when
he receives his medication. He wants to stay sane! Law
enforcement does not understand that my son is not in his
right mind, all they see is a crazy man acting irrational and
possibly dangerous. My son is more a danger to himself
than others! And, he is not the only person in our county
who will be affected this way if he does not receive the help
he so desperately needs! You will be paying for his
emergency hospitalization! You will be paying for his
incaration! Why not pay for his medication in the first place?
I am asking as a parent and family member for you to
reconsider the decision to cut these needed services.Thank
you, Janice Massie",
Kiah Semion: "I am currently an intern at a mental
health agency that receives funds from the county. Area
agencies have been doing a remarkable job offering
innovative and affective services to a diverse client
population. The long term impact of cutting mental health
service funds, and the affect it will have on the workers and
clients, is unfathomable.",
Teressa Dane: "I am a family member and a mental
health support worker and I know and see first hand what
the impact of cuts like these can and will do to a population
that so desperatly needs these services. Why would you
cut funds from the people who need it the most? I urge the
BOS to carefully reconsider cutting any mental health
services.",
Marintha Iverson: "Due to a cut in county funding I
have been asked to terminate clients who have not finished
their 10 county approved sessions. This is an abomination -
imagine facing people who are in dire need and informing
them that there is no longer funding for them to continue
therapeutic services.",
services to Mental Health consumers. Now we want to drive
them to more expensive and inappropriate systems of care
such as emergency rooms which will further increase health
premiums for all of us! More will also needlessly end up in
the prison system further exaserbating one of Californias
major problems!",
Joy Muraki: "I am a therapist and am very concerned
that my adult clients will not be able to access the mental
health services that they need. Without such services, their
chances of being hospitalized at either psychiatric hospitals
or medical hospitals will increase significantly.",
Sharon Watson: "I have worked for Sacramento and
Placer County, at non-profit county contracted Metnal
Health programs, that help families & children with special
needs for 12 years. Every year I see that our service delivery
is negatively impacted by funding cuts & bureaucracy. In the
end, it only causes more societal domino effects, due to
these families not getting the education and support they
need to become more successful citizens. Please do not
CUT MENTAL HEALTH funds! This will affect several
jobs...but more importantly, the most vulnerable people in
our society will be left with no other option, but to continue
the cycles that our Mental Health agencies are so
desperately trying to break!","If you want to cut
anything......cut ENTERTAINER salaries! TV sitcoms,
hollywood movie stars, music industry, even athletes.....they
MAKE TOO MUCH MONEY. None of them deserve several
homes worldwide, mansions, several expensive cars,
clothes that cost thousands of dollars...that's where the US
goes wrong. If every single American put the money from
just ONE movie ticket stub in a FUND..that would be
millions of dollars in ONE SINGLE DAY. Openings for
movies bring in several millions! What if every moviegoer,
that day, put that 10 dollar bill in a Mental Health fund?
Hmmmmm..."
Caroline Caton: "Untreated mental illness will cost
many many times the amount of money cut from the
budget. Untreated paranoid schizophrenia caused my
mother to lose her peace of mind and body. After spending
over 17 years homeless, she was placed in the care of
Sacramento County. The last four years of her life cost well
over $2 million. She was one person. Do the math. How
effective can it be to eliminate treatment, leaving only the
most expensive outcome as an option? Both in human and
financial terms.",
Tammy Del Rio": "California can not afford any more
cuts to our mental health services.",
Sally Carney: his issue is important to me because my
parents instilled in me values to care for my fellow man.
Mental illness is just as valid a disease as mumps, cancer,
or whatever.",
Christina Hardy: "Funds for Mental Health, especically for
children, is so important and something that we as a society
are impacted with everyday. We need to help!",
Darrell Steed: "this is a very important thing for people
in this area so they have a place to find the help that is
needed",
therapeutic services.",
Tabetha Otterson: "This petition is important 2 me cause im
a client,and its inportant for these services to stay.",
Guohua Xia: "Mental health is an essential part of the
community well-being. The budget cutting not only removed
the support and will also worse the stigma on mental
disease when more mental patients were put into jail or
hospital and create another set of cost, which could be
much higher than out patient service. Please, NO CUT to
mental health service!!!","Mental patient are vulnerable and
need more care not pressure. Decreased service will lead to
more social problem which is preventable."
Mark Sussman: "As one of the manager's of the mental
health program at the main jail, I am concerned about the
effects the proposed cuts to mental health programs will
have on law enforcement and the increased number of
mentally ill patients that will end up in jail due to poor
access to mental health care in the community. It's quite
probable that cutting mental health services will be more
expensive, in both the short and long run, than figuring out
how to keep these services in place. Incarceration, court
costs, state hospitalization, law enforcement and
emergency personnel time, and increased hospitalization at
the Mental Health Center and local psychiatric hospitals will
add up quickly if this most needy population is neglected.","I
urge the Board of Supervisors to consider these issues
before cutting these critically needed mental health services
utilized by our most vulnerable citizens."
Denise Colter: "Why is this issue important to you? I
have a dear friend who has benefitted from care from the
County Health Department.","Type any additional comment
(optional). I urge our Board of Supervisors to stop cuts to
mental health services because this may lead to more
expensive consequences such as increased prison rates,
costs of hospitalizations, homelessness and rise in cost"
Eleanor Sicad: "Turning Point:Northgate and clinics like
it assists those with low incomes with mental health. This
is a place of wellness! At one time, I had been hospitalized
in a mental hospital for 10-days...I don't want to repeatedly
go there for my mental illness, manic depression/bi-
polar.The medication I take, Lithium ER, has been working
for me along with follow-ups. Services here at Turning
Point:Northgate and places like it are like out-patient
therapy/counseling.","I urge our Board of Supervisors to stop
cuts to mental health services because this may lead to
more expensive consequences such as increased prison
rates, costs of hospitalizations, homelessness, and rise in
cost."
Alexis Davidson: "Preventative care is generally more
cost effective than treatment. Access to approriate
medications and therapy will prevent many people from
needing treatment after some harm has come to them or
others as well and reducing the potential for harm to others
and a need for treatment."
Audrey Edwards: "I am a school nurse and I can tell
you that the need for mental health services is huge.
needed",
Helga,Griffith: "My name is Helga Griffith and I am a
mental health consumer who may end up hospitalized or
worse if I cannot get Medi-cal. I am on many different
medications and have been a kaiser member my whole life--
and we just now finally seem to have my meds right. I
cannot pay my kaiser insurance and honestly, I am
frightened about what will happen to me when kaiser
discontinues my insurance. I have been through a lot--just to
get the right doctors, psych, and finally a great therepist. I
applied for medi-cal and they have not informed me if I am
going to get it or not--they have 90 days. It has been one
month--and I am now two months behind in insurance
payments. Do I have to die or get suicidal just to get help?
apparently so, or so I have been told.","We need more
services to help people before they spiral into crisis--it is
easily preventable. But cutting fudns for mental health is
dangerous and irresponsible. Sincerely, Helga Griffith"
Arthur Sanchez: "this is not the time to limit an already
meager budget for mental health needs!",
Kelly Jameson: "I have had the opportunity to work for
those with a Mental health diagnose for over 20 years. I feel
it is a very important field. Just for a moment think about
those who are affected not by just one diagnosis, but several
different types of Mental Health Diagnoses. What about,
how it impacts their family and friends as well. These people
come from various types of backgrounds. Some individuals
have obtained a Masters Degree or other people who are
high school dropouts. They are all human and all deserve
equal Mental Health and medical treatment. There is a
definite ongoing need! Cutting funding is cutting off their link
to any hope for wellness and recovery!",
Cindi Garcia: "Tough times require tough decisions by
our Board of Supervisors. I urge you not to cut further
funding for mental health services at the time when people
most need mental health services because of an unsettled
economic condition.",
K Payton: "Mental Health services throughout CA. is a
major issue & challenge to work through, not just Sac Co.
However, working in Social Services I'm finding that there's
already people who need our services who are falling through
the cracks because of staff shortages. There's also not
enough resources for the elderly with developmental delays.
Alta Regional is a good resource but more resources are
needed but the funding continues to decrease. To cut
important community programs on a shoestring staff budget
would continue to provide a disservice to our neighbors who
have life challenges and it's just not rational nor ethical, in
my opinion. The Board of Supervisors need to honestly
understand that these cuts not only provide a disservice to
our fellow Americans but it will increase the costs to
treatment centers, hospitals, and the homelessness will
continue to rise. Have you visited ""tent city"" yet? It's a sad
situation so please don't make it worse for those seeking
mental health services in the future! Thank you.",
Charlotte Belton: "We are facing a crisis in our city
you that the need for mental health services is huge.
Treatment options for parents are the only hope for these
children; who also need mental health services due to no
fault of their own. I constantly refer parents to mental health
services offered; and when the parent is not receptive often
we turn to CPS to be sure help is gotten.",
Elizabeth Pine: "These funds are very important to the
development of many programs that are vital to improving the
lives of mentally ill individuals",
TheresaDilworth: "Due to the economic situation, I believe
that services will be needed more than ever. If you don't
want the mentally ill hanging around your street corners and
your stores I urge you to reconsider. Not only that, but as a
society we who are entitled shoud assumer part of the
responsibility of helping each other. We need to take more
responsibility. It could very well be a memeber of your own
family",
EB Brauer: "I have been mentally ill for most of my life.
Thankfully, I have been able to support myself for most of
this time, but I am now disabled. I pay my taxes, including
property taxes, and I expect my tax dollars to be used
WISELY. Decreasing mental health funding is foolish and
short-sighted.","PLEASE do not contribute to the rise in MH
issues by cutting critical Sac County services to the least
among us. Please demonstrate your commitment to our
citizens by maintaining these services during times of
economic distress. NOW is the time to provide people with
the support they need as they lose their jobs, their homes,
their health insurance. Cutting mental health services
undercuts other non-mental health services. It can contribute
to increased homelessness, increased crime, increased
hospitalization, increased court costs and increase
protective services for children.
Sarah Sleppy: "In times of crisis, as our economy is in
right now, people need mental health services more than
ever. Removing funds for these services is to do a MAJOR
disservice to the public. We should be INCREASING funds
to further expand the services available to help our
community and our country recover in such a time of
stress.",
Claudia Sandoval: "As a person that suffers from
depression we need mental health services. Since i've used
mental health services i've been doing great, I know have a
full time job and my home life is more stable. Please don't
take away what's working for so many of us.","I urge our
board of supervisors to stop cuts to mental health services
because this may lead to more expensive consequences
such as increased prison rates, costs of hospitlaizations,
homelessness and rise in cost."
Paul Ferrari: "I have a cousin currently utilizing an RST
services. Without their support he was homeless and not
taking his medication. With their support he is now more
stable, has a place to live, and is taking his medication
regularly and even working part time. The potential loss of
these services concerns me that he will again be unstable,
and living on the streets.","I urge our Board of Supervisors to
stop cuts to mental health services because this may lead
Charlotte Belton: "We are facing a crisis in our city
with homelessness, and any additional cuts to social
service programs will only add to this epidemic. We cannot
afford to take Mental Health Services away. We must take
care of societies' most vulnerable, it will be to our advantage
to take care of the people who need it the most.",
Allen Duong: "Please Don't Cut Funds.in Jesus name
we pray.",
PEREZ ZABINA: "Please dont cut services there will be
a lot of people with out medications. it will be a big problem
than you think. People need thier medications to function
just like a sick child does.",
Donald Manley: "Many people, myself included, rely on
community driven medical and mental institutions for help.
Without this, we would be without treatment, without the
proper medications, and without anywhere to turn to. Don't
take away our hope. Don't cut funding.",
Norberto Martin: "The funds are importanat. please do
not cut these funds. We need all the help we can get.",
Marcia Gump: " I urge our Board of Supervisors to stop
cuts to mental health services because this may lead to
more expensive consequences such as increased prison
rates, costs of hospitalizations, homelessness and rise in
cost. Most concerning is the impact that the cuts will have
on children. Sacramento County's Child Protective Services
is overwhelmed and will not be able to manage the added
risks.",
Jessica Serrano: "This is important to me because I
care about all these clients. Where are they suppose to go?
To see the looks on our patient's faces when they worry
about Visions Umlimited closing down makes me sad. I
work at Visions Umlimited and I believe we help a lot of
people. To cut money from us will hurt everyone. The clients
and the employees. Please reconcider your decision and
don't cut from mental health. Thank you.",
Navneet Singh: "We are always here for the clients,of
any help they need,please do not cut Funds for mental
health",
Rebecca Martin:To the Board of Supervisors - Please
do not cut mental health services in Sacramento County.
Many, many people depend on the RST's for help! What will
they do?",
Cheryl Perez: "mental Health Services are the reason
there is SOME sanity in this world!",
Wendy Hoffman-Blank: "It is short-sighted to
eliminate cost-effective services for a large number of clients
becasue the result will be increased costs for hospitalization
and law enforcement. Many of the clients are on
medications that a primary care 0physician would not
prescribe. Clients also receive support along with
stop cuts to mental health services because this may lead
to more expensive consequences such as increased prison
rates, costs of hospitalizations, homelessness and rise in
cost of emergency personnel including police and
emergency rooms."
Laurie Ferrari: "This issue is important to me because I
am working with families who will be directly impacted by
these proposed cuts. I work with children in mental health
whose parents are receiving services that you are proposing
to cut. Cutting those services will cause intended further
harm to the children I serve. Without these services, their
parents will likely decompensate and loose their stability.
This will cause further hardship on the families and is likely
to have the unintended consequence of increasing CPS
involvement, ER admissions, and increase substance
abuse.","Further budget cuts of mental health services will
undoubtedly cost the taxpayers far more in increased costs
in public hospitals, emergency police calls, inappropriate
utilization of emergency room services, involuntary
psychiatric hospitalizations, the criminal justice system and
Child Protection Services (CPS). If the goal of Sacramento
County is to do more with less during times of economic
hardship, cutting funds for mental health services during
difficult economic times is counterproductive."
William Cook: "My son is autistic and I moved to
California because of the opportunities my son can have
here.",
Jeanette Isakson: "Type any additional comment
(optional). I urge our Board of Supervisors to stop cuts to
mental health services because this may lead to more
expensive consequences such as increased prison rates,
costs of hospitalizations, homelessness and rise in cost"
Ari R. Kolman: "Sacramento County Board of
Supervisors MUST abandon plans to cut funding to people
who receive community-based mental health services
through the Sacramento County Department of Mental
Health.","What’s wrong with the Government allowing this to
happen here, this is Another Disgusting Example of
Undemocratic Government & Big Business Corruption,
wasteful spending, discrimination and Crimes against
Humanity & Animal!!”. AS WELL AS GOVERNMENTS
TAKING FROM THE POOR AND GIVING TO THE RICH
AND THEMSELVES. Ridiculous Unconstitutional Pork
barrel Policy Twisting Environmental Hazard Oil Fanatics!!
We Will All Distribute This Page to Big Media and Start
Letting those “Useless Talking Heads on TV News” know
what’s really worth reporting to the world… Useless they are
because who knows if they even know about this? But if
they did, they should Report it as we will also through our
blogs.. … I’m sickened and disgusted. I’m sickened and
disgusted. I’m sickened and disgusted. I’m sickened and
disgusted. I’m sickened and disgusted. I’m sickened and
disgusted. I’m sickened and disgusted. I’m sickened and
disgusted. I’m sickened and disgusted. ."
Terri Warner: "I work for Turning Point Community
Programs where we help people suffering from mental illness
on a daily basis obtain much needed services. We help
people with housing issues, medical issues (both medical
medication. They are assisted with housing, coping skills,
employment etc. MHSA programs are not designed to
handle large numbers and cannot replace outpatient
services. Also, it will not work to fund children's services
and not adult services. Children and families are affected by
adult's mental health.",
Iris Rivera: "We need employment services because we
all need to work to support our families and grow as
persons.",
SINGH MANSFIELD: "It is important because I started
working for Visions at the age of 18 in Sacramento, CA at
first working with the mentally challenged seemed like a job
I would never take seriously but then I realized it was meant
for me. I loved my job enjoyed the members and realized
that we need more companies like Visions and Turning
Point so that we can help those who need it. Our jail and
prison systems do not have the proper training nor do they
have proper housing for the mentally challenged. These are
people who can not help themselves and need help of
qualifed workers who can help them through the daily grind
of life.",
Gerry Dabi: "Cutting funds for Mental Health Services
would be an ultimate disservice to the community. Not only
will patients be greatly impacted, but also the dedicated
mental healthcare professionals who have established a
rapport with their patients. These professionals are not only
there for the patients, but for the patient's families and
caregivers. They are their to lend support, awareness, and
many other intangibles that only bring a positive outlook for
many of the patients.",
Chelsea Bagias: "With the services provided these
clients are able to improve their lives which in turn
decreases the county expenditure.",
Jeannette Wilson: "I live in South Sacramento CA, an
impoverished area. If we do not provide mental health care to
families, then many children will end up in the CPS system,
their parents in jail or incapable of taking care of them.
Please help!!",
Regena Ivory,sacto: "Because I have family memeber
affected with mental issues and professional help is not
affordable to some of them. We don't need people walk
around street that would possibly be a danger to their
families and other because they never got the help they
need this service.",
YOLANDA EARTHLY: "ALL HUMAN BEINGS WITH
MENTAL HEALTH DISABILITIES NEED OUR COMMUNITY
SUPPORT. WHEN FUNDS ARE CUT THEIR SERVICES
AND SUPPORT ARE CUT. HOW WOULD THEY
CONTINUE GET THE HELP AND SUPPORT THEY NEED
AND CONTINUE TO HAVE A GOOD QUALITY OF LIFE IF
WE ARE CUTTING PROGRAMS? LET'S BEGIN TO THINK
ABOUT ALL OF THOSE WHO ARE LESS FORTUNATE
THEN WE ARE AND WHO DESEPARTELY NEED OUR
SERVICES. PLEASE DO NOT CUT MENTAL HEALTH
PROGRAMS!! MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ARE THE
people with housing issues, medical issues (both medical
and psychiatry), nutrition, family and overall wellness goals.
We help these folks with employment and keep them
functioning in society - a society that, at times, turns the
other cheek to those suffering from mental illness. Funding
for our program is critical to our community and to
individuals and families impacted by mental illness - which
is everyone. Please do not cut funds for mental health
services.",
Marleen Goff: "Mental health services, almost without
exception, are those which get cut each time there is a
budget problem. This cannot continue!","Marleen Goff"
Maria Guevara: "please do not cut funds for mental
health. there is so many people in need,not only adults but
there is chlidren in need of help. what will happen to the
familys that have loved one with mental health. Are they
going to house tham in a convalesent home and have the
eldery get abused and or killed by someone with mental
problems.with out the help we are going to see a larger
crimes out on the streets and inocent people getting
hurt.and any one with mental illness will get abused and hurt
if not killed.So please do not cut funds so many people need
help.",
Douglas Harding: "The costs of mental health services
are much smaller than the costs to the community without
these services. Without appropriate care, people will fall off
their medications resulting in increased hospital and prison
costs. Our society should be formed on caring for those
who can't care for themselves, not on what we want to pay
for.",
Carol Stallworth: "I work for a mental health agency,
and have seen what an important impact these services
have. Many fewer hospitalizations and reduced use of
emergency services, in addition to an increased ability for
individuals to make a positive contribution to society.",
Claudia Tapia Guerrero: "As a psychologist, I firmly
bleieve that mental health needs budget! Mental health
prevention will reduce other costs!"
Nancy Yavrom: "Why do we want to pretend that those
with mental illness issues don't exist? Why do we want to
relegate them to needless suffering? How can we ignore the
pain and helplessness of their families? Mental health is
something everybody struggles with at one time or another --
consider stress and how you handle it. Do you get angry
and have to make a physical display in order to gain
control? Is that mental healthiness? Or is that just a more
common way of dealing with the difficult so it is accepted?
Who has never been depressed in their life? Just because it
didn't turn into a chronic condition doesn't make you better
than the person who does end up having to endure the
prolonged sufferings of depression because the mental
health system does not want to recognize it and help treat
it. This is particularly true of the elderly. By limiting funds,
you limit what can be done for people.",
PROGRAMS!! MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ARE THE
LIFE OF ALL COMMUNITY PROGRAMS.",
Darlene Viggiano: "My patients need their mental
health services, and the services that support them. Without
them, many become suicidal, and among those, many have
children.",
Joseph Serrano: "I urge our Board of Supervisors to
stop cuts to mental health services because this may lead
to more expensive consequences such as increased prison
rates, costs of hospitalizations, homelessness and rise in
cost",
Stephanie Griggs: "By cutting the Mental Health
Services you are making a huge mistake. So many families
are going to be affected by your decision. So many people
are going to be without medication, services, support, &
resources. I plead with you to rethink your decision about
cutting these services.",
Tonja Edelman: "Mental health is an integral part of
Sacramento County's health care system. With a loss of
funds for community programs, mental health consumers
will again be primarily treated in emergency rooms and
locked psychiatric facilities. These settings are far more
expensive for the taxpayers of Sacramento County.","Please
stop the short term planning on the backs of those with
mental health issues. It's not only bad for mental health
consumers and their families, but also for every taxpayer in
the County."
Jo Ann"Jackson-Holt: "I am a volunteer with Senior
Peer Counseling Mental Health Association in Sacramento.
Every week for the last eight months I have visited older and
elderly adults that need individualized help for mental health
issues. Some may need only preventative measures like
going to a Widows Support group. Others may need help
getting the right medications from their doctors. These are
low cost measures compared to institutionalizing these
people. If you cut costs for prevention you will raise costs in
the long run.",
David Brown: "I urge our Board of Supervisors to stop
cuts to mental health services because this may lead to
more expensive consequences such as increased prison
rates, costs of hospitalizations, homelessness and rise in
cost"
Anthony Hong: "Investing in mental health has been
shown time and time again to save more money than the
initial cost by preventing more severe outcomes, like
emergency room visits, crime and crisis in general. So yes,
please don't take any funding from mental health.",
Sorm En: "The cuts will only save ur on short term basis,
but we are going to create much bigger problems if clt
individuals don't get the help they need.Community-base
services help maitain long term stability and prevent
unecessary hosp or incarceration which could cost the
county and state more.",
Darby Patterson: "Cutting mental health services will
most certainly result in increased cost to the healthcare
system and to county law enforcement. Even more
important is the human toll in which thousands of people will
go untreated for serious metal illness that causes dangers
to themselves and to society. I urge you to be both
compassionate and farsighted. Actively oppose any
proposed changes to Prop 63 funds.",
Carol Grant: "People who have a mental illness have
many barriers to managing their lives. The services provided
by the MHSA funds are critical to thier health and well
being. Please consider very carefully cutting the mental
health budget.",
Cordia Wade: "Realize the entire country, state and
county are facing financial hardships, but we can't afford to
cut vitally needed mental health services.",
Heather Wagers: "Who else will look after our
children? Who will help them with life trauma, depression,
suicidal ideation, homicial ideation, gang intervention, drug
treatment and abuse at home?"
Kathryn Curry: "I am an administrator at an elementary
school. We need to address the needs of the children in
order to remove barriers to learning. With adequate support,
student have more chance at becoming academically
proficient.",
Olga Cisneros-Cruz: " I urge our Board of Supervisors
to stop cuts to mental health services because this may
lead to more expensive consequences such as increased
prison rates, costs of hospitalizations, homelessness and
rise in cost"
A.,Morales: "Please do not cut budgets for Mental Health
Programs. This would devastate our society and in the long
run cost more. Our mentally ill citizens will end up dead or
in jail...this is unjust and unconstitutional.. I PRAY!! Thank
You!!!",
Enrique,Alvarez: "I my self do not know what to do
where to go who to get help from and scared to ask because
cause I am tired of being turned away I found out about this
services though my son counselor cause of disorder allot of
people need the help that do not know to or ask",
Oscar Saenz: "I believe that supporting people with
developmental dissabilities we could have a happier society
and we will help the dissable population to live their life the
way they disere and where they wish to reside. Love and
compasiiotn it is not expensive, grid is.",
Carol,Allen: "Carol Allen I have been working in the
MENTAL HEALTH CULTURE for over a decade and I am
optimistic about the success of this petition. There are so
many families that will be adversely affected if the proposed
cuts are effected, so with much prayer and much love
because love is an action we are collecting signatures and

Cynthia Lopez: "I am worried and concerned as a
citizen, a MFTI, and as a providor of mental health services.
Please put people first.",
ArmandoSoria: "Please reconsider the devastating cuts!",
Michael Young: "It is criminal to leave 8,900 of the
poorest, neediest and most deserving people of low cost or
free mental health services without. DO NOT CUT ANY
MORE FUNDS!
Natalie Parkinson: "Important for people with mental
helath to be treated. It will cost more to hospitalize patients
if they are not treated properly",
Shawn,Oliver: "We need to take care of those that can't take
care of themselves, and prevent those that still can from
becoming homeless or worse.",
LISA JUAREZ: "Stop cuts,our client's need RST
services.",
Camille Cummins: "I believe by cutting funds to mental
health it will cause an increase in under-staffed facilities,
who are already over booked and no longer able to deticate
meaningful service to the clients.",
Jessica Lindsey: "This economic crisis is increasing
stress and causing an increase in mental breakdowns. Don't
take funding from those who need it the most right now!",
Laurie Jones: "Let's not go back to the mistake of the
Reagan years. Mental health services are very cost-
effective, not to mention more humane. Most of the
homeless have mental health issues, cause and effect;
many are vets. The measure of a civilization is how it takes
care of its citizens who need help.",
JoAnn Anglin: "As we face increased economic and
social stress, the effects of these will doubtless affect those
already suffering from mental illness, and those on the
edge. Maintaining those support services is not a matter of
charity, but of sustaining basic quality of life for all.",
Zohreh Whitaker: "It is all too apparent that our jails
are filled with people whose mental illness has been
intrumental in their bad choices. Surely, had free mental
care been provided and easily accessible, many would be
living a productive lives.",
Joyce Bray: "Cutting funds for mental health services
would be both counterproductive in terms of saving money,
and show a lack of empathy for those who suffer among us.
Please vote on the side of practicality and compassion.",
MARCELLA LORFING: My son is mentally disabled
(in another county) and needs mental health services. They
are essential in every city, county and state. I urge our
Board of Supervisors to stop cuts to mental health services
because this may lead to more expensive consequences
such as increased prison rates, costs of hospitalizations,
because love is an action we are collecting signatures and
with great expectations.",
Elisa Duke: "Being American is about having a voice,
and about protecting the life piberty and happiness of
individuals. How, then, can we eliminate the voice and needs
of the weakest and call ourselves good citizens? Social
responsibility is a founding concept, and we must speak out
for those who can't speak up for themselves.","""First They
Came""First they came for the Communists, and I didn’t
speak up, because I wasn’t a Communist. Then they came
for the sick, the so-called incurables, and I didn't speak up,
because I wasn't mentally ill. Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn’t speak up, because I wasn’t a Jew. Then they
came for me, and by that time there was no one left to
speak up for me. -Pastor Martin Niemöller ""Speak up for
the people who have no voice, for the rights of all the down-
and-outers. Speak out for justice! Stand up for the poor and
destitute!"" -
Alena Bhagirath: "This is important for me because I
believe that through recreation therapy we are able to help
children and all indviduals with minimal usage of
medication. Also, we are providing a service that is well
needed throughout the United States.",
Carmen Appleby: "ALTHOUGH I LIVE IN UK, I AM
USER OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND THEY HAVE
BEEN VITAL TO ME MANAGING THE VARIOUS
CONDITIONS I HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH,
INCLUDING OCD, BORDERLINE PERSONALITY
DISORDER, SELF-INJURY, DEPRESSION.",
Favia Cruz: "This issue is very important because the
life and well-being of many individuals, families with a
member or members with MH issues, and children is at
serious risk. The result can only be chaos break-down of
quality of services, and meltdown of what this county has
stood for for many years. The consequences for this
breakdown falls on those who are given the power to
exercise what is right for the people at large and not for
personal gain. The result is an insult to those in power who
have poorly managed funds alloted to run the State. Thus;
those in possition should be held accountable for the
breakdown in providing for the safety and well-being of the
people. Mental health care is not a luxury, it is a state of
being, a holistic state of being that must not be tampered
with or changed.",
Clare Merris: "At times of high stress, mental health
needs go up. If those that need help, or simply someone to
listen, have no where to turn then other types of outlets or
behaviors are taken. These other outlets can be harmful to
the individual and to society. If anything, we need to
increase mental health services at this time. A well
organized effort can aid both the individual and communities.
I urge you to think outside the box, and instead of voting for
cuts, reorganize to optimize services and pull in
volunteers.",
Julia Merris-Coots: "Individuals with mental health
needs are among our most vulnerable citizens. When their
such as increased prison rates, costs of hospitalizations,
homelessness and rise in cost"
Deni Marshall: "We don't need mentally ill adults on the
streets, homeless and becoming a danger to themselves
and others.",
Maija Lamberts: "The mentally ill in our communities
continue to struggle more than any other populations in our
society and still battle stigma second to no other illness.
Cutting the already meager services will do great harm to
these patients, the families, and our communities!! Please
do NOT let this happen!",
Ron Risley: www.SacDoc.org,"A lot of people speculate
that cutting outpatient mental health services might increase
costs overall. They needn't bother. Hard data exists. There
is no doubt: these cuts *will* increase costs -- and *we'll* be
the ones who pay."
Rima Trotter: "Mental Health is a growing issue
nationwide, it would be an injustice to cut off services to
those who truly cannot afford Mental Health care. The
problems could be far reaching."
Cynthia Neuman: "Reducing funds for mental health
services will only increase the need for expenditures in other
areas (such as jail and police services). Prevention is a
more efficient form of expenditure than ""clean-up,"" and is
better for people.",
Linda Brink-Eaton: "In the very short run, it looks like
government would be saving money. But soon thereafter the
impact of letting a few thousand people in the Sacramento
area go without mental healh services will be astronomical.
The areas severly impacted would be the Treatment Center,
Emergency rooms, Law Enforcement, jails and the
Coroner's office, as well as local citizens and businesses.
Of course it almost goes without saying that it would be
unconscionable to leave those thousands of mental health
consumers and their families without prevention services.
DON'T WAIT UNTIL WE HAVE TO RE-INVENT THE
WHOLE SYSTEM AGAIN ONCE THINGS BECOME DIRE
AND THE COMMUNITY DEMANDS ACTION.",
Parneet Singh: "Please don't take jobs away from
innocent people. We all need to survive through these harsh
times.",
Jerry Roth: "I believe that by trying to save money by not
funding mental health services, you will be creating a larger
problem both financially and in terms of human suffering.
Please do the right thing and do not cut back funding in this
critical area because it affects those most in need.",
Thomas Hushen: "Now, more than ever, we need to be
able to provide outpatient mental health services in
Sacramento. There are many people who are experiencing
mental illness due to the severe state of our nation's
economy. This is in addition to those already experiencing
mental illness that rely on the County's Regional Service
needs are among our most vulnerable citizens. When their
needs go unmet everyone around them is negatively
affected; children, spouses, parents, siblings and neighbors.
Cutting mental health funding will only result in additional
and potentially more costly problems like homelessness,
increased crime, hospitalization and or possible
incarceration. Don't pull the rug out from under these
people. Keep the current funding for mental health programs
and services in place.",
Josephine Simmah: "Is this means we were misled
that the stimulus money would help save mental health
services? The consequences of going backwards on mental
health services would have disastrous consequences for
both the people who depend on the services and tax payers.
I urge our Board of Supervisors to act soon to stop these
cuts.",
May Nieman: "This issue is vital to me because not only
am I in the senior category (71 yrs old), but I volunteer at a
local Peer Counseling Service Center and see what the
seniors, ages, 87 and 89 yr olds, have to deal with. It's not
a pretty picture. This funding is CRUCIAL to ALL aging
citizens throughout our country.","PLEASE RE-CONSIDER
making any more cuts to this funding of our seniors'
resources!!!"
S.Griffiths: "First of all, you simply cannot take away
what little these people have. They depend on these
services and it is literally life or death situations much of the
time. Additionally, people will lose their jobs, myself
included. When these people are not able to get the help
they need and end up in emergency rooms and jails, who
will pick up the tab for that? We've all seen how this goes
before. It costs less to care for them now, rather than let
them suffer and pay later.",
Linda Geissinger: "I urge you to NOT cut mental
health funds. The impact will be devastating to the
community, especially those most in need and least able to
help themselves.",
Rene Miller: "This issue is important to me because
right now I am reciving mental health services at Northgate
Point RST and the doctor I am seeing he is leaving and now
I dont have a doctor because of the budget cuts,",
Linda Savarese: "Mental health care is essential in any
commnity.....there are many other wasteful areas that
should be cut.",
Donna Salisbury: "County mental health services have
improved life for my non-criminal, mentally ill adult son. The
psychiatry, medicine, and board and care help he now
receives have stopped his use of homeless services,
stopped the use of expensive police intervention and
detainment, stopped community fear and discomfort when
he was delusional and off meds. This saves the county and
state money. Mental health services are cost effective, as
well as humanitarian.",
Betty Blackman:
mental illness that rely on the County's Regional Service
Teams and other vital agencies in order to continue
treatment. Cutting these services will have a significant
impact on Sacramento County and will displace thousands
of client's. I strongly urge you to please consider the
ramifications of the budget cutback on mental health
services and allow these operations to continue to provide
crucial services to the mentally ill population.",
Nancy Bui: We need to have PREVENTATIVE care for
our most needy people in our County. Without preventative
care, these people will end up in hurting themselves, people
around them and end up in the emergency room where the
costs to treat them are 10 times more expensive than if we
helped them be productive members of our community
through County clinics.It is VERY short sided to cut Mental
Health Services to save a few dollars today, we'll end up
paying a premium down the road.",
Candace Mcfarland: "Hope is the answer to our
economic woes. We can survive and thrive if we replace fear
with hope. We need our MH people to be well trained in
PTSD because many people's fears are turning their lives
into a trauma. Anger and fear need replacement in the souls
of men and women. Love and compassion is the answer.
Cut the prison funding and raise the mental health funding
and see what a world we can be!",
Judy Kawamoto: As more veterans return from Iraq
and Afghanistan, mental health services will be more needed
than ever. Now is not the time to cut services; rather they
should be increased.",
Carole Nutt: "Especially to Supervisor Don Nottoli who
represents me. I was dissapointed that you voted to close
the C Street Clinic and now a vote to reduce mental health
services would only cause even more problems. It is hard
enough now for the poorest of the poor to receive mental
health services. Creating more barriers by reducing service
will have repercussions causing the county to spend even
more on emergency care and incarceration. Mental health
is a real illness and people who are untreated wind up self
medicating which in turn causes more severe homelessness
and involuntary psychiatric hospitalizations which in turn
costs the county more. Don't be penny wise and pound
foolish retain at least the same level of funding for mental
health.",
RaMieya Harris,"Mental Health Services is a vital
resource to multitudes with mental illnesses. This proposed
buget cut will have tremendous consequences on, not only
the individual who once benefited from such institution, but
on society, taxpayers; as well as an increase in many other
areas of public services.","Why take the chance??? Can we
really pay the costs???"
Jessica Munoz: "I urge our Board of Supervisors to
stop cuts to mental health services because this may lead
to more expensive consequences such as increased prison
rates, costs of hospitalizations, homelessness and rise in
cost"
Betty Blackman: "Well i am a patient through adult
access team please dont take money or services away from
us we need all the resources we can get. you should give
mental health services an increase if anything but thats just
my opinon thanks for reading",
Jeremy Sundby: "My mother is mentally ill and needs
the help from the county. Mental health needs an increase.
Don't disenfranchise those in need.",
Christopher Davis: "Due to the stressful impact of the
worsening economy on American families, mental health
services must not be cut. Mental health services should be
a top priority especially in these times, and should be
funded adequately to meet the rising needs of those in need
of help.",
Michele Ianni: "My son is 9 years old. It has been 2
years of pleading with the school just to get my son an IEP.
On 6-2-09 he is finally getting one. It was 11-08 when he got
his 504 plan. No child left behind????? He has ADHD
Bipolor, and is even getting tossed to the back seat by
ACCESS at this moment,(I just got off the phone with them).
He knows he needs help, he cry's for help. please make
sure this state can listen to the voices that sometimes can't
speak for themselves. Give my son a good chance to a
healthy normal life, maybe even your son, or someone you
love. If we don't speak for them, who will?????",
Alden Hunter: "I work in the Mental Health field and
have a great knowledge of the impact cuts will have on the
public. There is a large number of the population that
currently receive and depend on various services, but
moreso, with the current economic status and times more
people are in need now than ever.","I urge our Board of
Supervisors to stop cuts to mental health services because
this may lead to more expensive consequences such as
increased prison rates, costs of hospitalizations,
homelessness and rise in cost"
Rachel Paul: "Without Mental Health Services I dont
know where my mom would be right now, more than likely
living out on the streets. If anything we need to provide more
services to the Mentally Ill. More cuts only mean more
people will be suffering with out access to the proper care
they need to live normally.","I urge the Board of Directors to
stop making cuts to Sacramento's Mental Health Services. I
belive it will lead to more and more people becomming
chronicly homeless."
ANNETTE TURNBOW: "Every time the Government
cuts cost in Mental Health Services and other needed
services the chance of increasing costs in another area
triples...So, it would seem to me that you wouldn't quit your
job if all of your debts exceeded your income...You get a
better job or you take a second job...therefore my dear
elected officials--Do the job you were elected to do and fix
the problem and Stop creating more problems by pretending
that taking funds from one needed area and throwing them
into another will solve the fiscal problems that we all
created...Let's be better at what we all do...it is my opinion

Renae Klee, Nurse Practitioner: "United
States","Cutting funding to mental health services to save
money now will end up costing the county much more in the
long run. Consider the financial costs of ER care, crisis
care and hospitalizations when patients can't access the
psychiatric services and medications they need to stay
stable. Consider the social costs - increased drug and
alcohol use for those who need to self-medicate if they can't
get the care and medication they require; loss of workdays
for those stable patients who are now productive, successful
contributors to our economy - it's hard to work when you're
sick and you can't get your medication. Consider the
increase in arrests and increased homelessness. Don't let
Oprah's follow-up show start with ""Sacramento's homeless
problem has only gotten WORSE since we last visited - now
that cuts to mental health services have caused even MORE
people to be forced to live on the streets."" Please do what
is right for our community AND the County budget in the
long run. Preserve mental health services for this very
vulnerable segment of our population and ultimately SAVE
the County of Sacramento lots of money."
Kathy Dotson: "United States","I just cannot wrap it
around my brain that there could be nine thousand people
with no meds walking the streets because eventually thats
what it would come down to"
Socorro Padilla: "United States","the proposed budget cuts
of mental health services because the reductions will
undoubtedly cost the taxpayers far more; increased costs in
public hospitals, emergency police calls, inappropriate
utilization of emergency room services, involuntary
psychiatric hospitalizations, the criminal justice system and
Child Protection Services (CPS).",
Abby Bassett: "The patients served by the County Mental
Health services require stable and consistent treatment in
order to maintain optimal functioning within their families and
the community. If services are cut, it is highly likely that
patients will become lost in the Primary Care system, and
potentially end up in the ER's, jails or worse. Please cut the
budget somewhere that human lives are not at stake. These
individuals do the best they can with the help of the County
system - please don't take away their support system - it
will negatively effect the patients and our community as a
whole.",
David Fisher: "These services provide steppng stones
for mentally ill people.If these funds are cut, there will be
about 9,000 mentally ill people wandering sacramento, with
out care. These people deserve help!The people of our city
need these resources! With out them the possibilty for
crime, suicide, and the rise of substance abuse may
increase. please do not cut funding! THese are the people of
our city, and they need help!!!!",
Trevor Wallace: "You may have some idea how
important mental health services are to the clients that we
serve. Let me tell you that mental health consumers are
desperate and the services that we provide are vital. Without
these services oour clients may become a burden upon the
CA courts and jail resources as a consequence of the lack
created...Let's be better at what we all do...it is my opinion
that leaders should lead and stop following each other
around with the same theory--Problems do not fix
themselves, if you were a student your instructor's would
have failed you by now---so, if you want to be politicians and
you know how to be one then perhaps you should do what
the people elected you to do and find an answer that creates
revenue rather than begs Peter to pay Paul for the funds that
Mary needs to keep the sanity of all three. We are all good
people trying to do the right thing---Do the right thing---Do
not cut funding to Mental Health Services....I have a family
member that depends on these services, don't put him back
in the streets with no hope of getting the care he needs to
keep him well, functioning, working and paying taxes like
the rest of us good tax paying citizens.Thanks for reading
this and please consider all of the damage that these cuts
can cause...Thanks, Annette Turnbow",
Colleen Richards: "This is important to me because, A
lot of my friends and family have Mental Health issues and
more people than you know need our help with their issues,
Please don't cut any more programs.",
?: "The quality of our future government is going to choose
from a workforce that will most likely include those
individuals suffering from mental illness. If we keep up our
old habits and try to ignore this sector within our
community, then our developing governance wil merely
reflect and perpetuate existing flaws that really do hurt
people.""Work on these issues now, before these disorders
""blossom"" and make the news of who died and how close
to home such tragedy occurred."
Michael Sale: "I would not want your job making these
decisions but along with children, the people effected by
reducing these funds to a draconian level are the most
vulnerable in the world- vulnerable to others on the street in
the most cruel possible ways. Please protect them.",
J,Creare: "Please help us and be part of the solution
instead of harming us...please don't cut funds! At least
think about it before stabbing us in the gut with what feels
like class warfare.",
Bennie Shaw: "I urge our Board of Supervisors to stop
cuts to mental health services because this may lead to
more expensive consequences such as increased prison
rates, costs of hospitalizations, homelessness and rise in
cost"
Krystle Plant: " I urge our Board of Supervisors to stop
cuts to mental health services because this may lead to
more expensive consequences such as increased prison
rates, costs of hospitalizations, homelessness and rise in
cost"
Dorothy Dixon: "When a member of your family suffers
from mental illness it is imperative that they can get
professional help for a loved one. The loss of funding can
cause the loss of life when a despondent person cannot get
help. Please, please continue to fund this necessary
service","I urge our Board of Supervisors to stop cuts to
CA courts and jail resources as a consequence of the lack
of mental health services. Please be sympathetic to those
most vulnerable in our community and maintain their
services. Thank You. Trevor B. Wallace. Mental Health
Services Coordinator
Edwina Barber: "I urge our Board of Supervisors to stop
cuts to mental health services because this may lead to
more expensive consequences such as increased prison
rates, costs of hospitalizations, homelessness and rise in
cost",
Samantha Winter: "Because I dont have insurance and
I take an antidepressant that I need filled by a doctor. If I
dont take it I get very moody, irritable , lazy, unmotivated.
So what would I do ?","rise in costs"
Anita Gurin: "I am a Clinical Director of a non-profit
serving a specialized population. All levels of counselors are
working 50 hour weeks with little pay to serve extremely
distressed people. We have decreased psychiatric
hospitalizations, homeless, depression, ensured medication
availability, and worked to increase sanity in the world in all
areas, including financial. This matters.","Please contact me
if you would like more information."
Laurie Ferns: "Mental health services must not be cut
any further. To cut such services is a short-term answer that
we will ALL pay for in the future - we will pay financially and
in terms of an increase in violence in our society and
disservice to Sacramento's children, adults, and families.",
Raymond Brophy: "I am one of those that this cut
back would affect. If I were to loose the services I am
receiving now I would be at risk of being placed in a
psychiatric hospital as these services help me live a normal
life. I implore you to reconsider there are so many other
areas for revenue generation. Even I would be happy to
entertain a sales tax hike to keep these services going.",
John Stumpf "The care of our Citizens with mental help
problems is the base line of a safe community.No group of
people needs our help and support more then this Segment
of Sac.",
Joseph Dopson:"One of the most important things
that the government does is to provide help to those who are
unable to help themselves. Please help keep these services
available; it could mean the difference between life and death
for many of Sacramento's most needy citizens.",
Lisa Sexton: "Cutting Mental Health Services would
cause a lot of people to not get the help they need.",
Cassandra Luera: "United States","I have family members
that are dependent to receiving Mental Health Services and
are functioning
Terra Skirvin: "I think is is extremely important to have
proper funding for metal health services for the mentally ill as
well as employees. I have personal experience with the
mentally ill in my family and knowing the financal hardship in
service","I urge our Board of Supervisors to stop cuts to
mental health services because this may lead to more
expensive consequences such as increased prison rates,
costs of hospitalizations, homelessness and rise in cost"
Stephanie Comfort: "Many who aren't able to receive
mental health care - miss work, aren't able to keep a job
without proper care, and many will be applying for
unemployment as well as Welfare. Ultimately our economy
and society will be furthur damaged."
David Akpe: "Please stop ware housing metally ill
people in instutions. We need more programs aid metally ill
people come out of state and county hospitals and
instutions.",
Joel Canterberry: "Mental Health Care or lack thereof,
is one of the leading causes to self-medication/drug abuse
and results in families in crises and homelessness and the
end cost to the tax payer is enormous, cutting the funds for
access only acerbates the cost to society, it does nothing
to save money in the short or long term. I therfore support
not suspending mental health care funding. It makes no
sense or dollars not to.",
Deborah Womack: "please don't cut mental health
services ........my son is scizophranic and what little
somewhat normal life he could live depends on it. besides
the lives it will affect in all aspects we could have more
people ending up with more depression due to the fact they
are already over whelmed with greif work losing jobs
ect.................please don't make cuts in mental health..",
Amber and family: "While providing daily care for
people whom were mentally challenged,i gained a new
respect for their illness. for most i couldn't even imagine
them going out into our society, working a regular 9 to 5
without first having gone through some of the wonderful
programs northern California offers. i have witnessed
patients who could barley perform activities of daily living
grow to be productive, self supporting members of society.
PLEASE rethink cutting funds and think hard on alternate
solutions....what would this cut do to the people whom get
up every day and strive a bit harder, because these
programs are their hope at living a normal life. Have you
(board members) considered the repercussions that the
participants of these programs, along with the general public
would suffer? increase in crime rate, there is no need to add
to the already high prison population, ironically most of the
population suffering with some form of mental illness.more
drug addictions, more broken homes ect...what would this
cut do to our homeless rate? (I believe it would increase
dramatically) If we(the public) can take time to sign this
petition then we've got time to volunteer more than just a
comment, get involved.....donate time,services products,
ask how you can lend a hand in keeping the funding in
place. thank you for your time, sincerely, amber and
family.",
Sheena Gunst: "I am currently suffering from mental
illness & stoll need a proper diagnosis & treatment",
mentally ill in my family and knowing the financal hardship in
this economy sadens me.",
Paul Noss: "I can't imagine what my family would have
done without the support of community mental health
services. The services have supported us throughout my
twin sister's mental illness and helped us get her stabilized.
The services have reduced her use of crisis services and
given us hope again. Please do not cut these important
services!",
ANET THIEL,"Elk; "The more limited the mental health
services are in the community, the more emergency hospital
visits are required and incarcerations, due to increase of
symptoms and lack of support. I was part of an intensive
case managment team/program that reduced recitivism
rates by 67% utilizing one-stop services and intensive case
management...but the county cut the program due to lack of
funds...let's look at the big picture people...where are we
spending the money...35,000 a year for one prisoner or use
this money to assist ten individuals become more
independent and stable!!!! Jail for mental illness still doesn't
work support/case management does!!!!",
Shannon,Tarter: "I have been deeply troubled by the
ongoing promises of significant funding reductions for the
few programs that actually support clients that live on the
fringes of society. These clients have not chosen to have
mental health disabilities therefore they cannot choose to
make them disappear. Instead they look to our services to
be their beacon of light to support them to reach stability so
they too can enjoy a productive life. Without these services
many transitional age youth will remain unstable and further
burden our system for decades to come. We have a chance
to support them now. They want the services. They want to
improve their lives. We can find a solution that does not take
away the lifeline to the county's most vulnerable.",
Kim Simon: "We are funding a new parking garage for
our airport...And cutting Mental Health Services... furthering
burdening our community with people looking for mental
recovery. How can they obtain this goal , when there is no
one to support them and encourage and guide them in
securing drs, medications, housing and income. But we got
new funding for an airport parking garage...",
Sign also the Petition to Day
illness & stoll need a proper diagnosis & treatment",
Carole Fried: All communities need good mental health
facilities. Without accessible services, we all lose. Someday
it could be you, or somebody you love, that will need
services that just may make all the difference.",
Name not displayed: "We cannot afford to increase
the number of untreated mentally ill people in our
community. I acknowledge money is limited, and would like
to see some kind of reasonable i.e., nonpolitical, re-
examination of community priorities so that we are spending
available budget in the most important areas first"
David Blanton: "every one needs a chance to be free
and to live in the least restrictive place. when you cut this
fundding where do all these people go. It cost more to house
the ill in locked facilities then it dose to allow them to live on
there own".
Kristofer Juett: "My mother suffers from mental illness
and due to funding cuts has not been able to receive
adequate treatment. Before her illness she held a job for
over 12 years as secretary for a local church and when
healthy can be an active participant in society. However
without proper treatment she can not care for herself"
Alan Springwind: "My Son would not be alive today if it
were not for Sacramento County Mental Health Services. He
has much support from his family also, but not everyone
does. For many with mental health issues SCMHS is the
only place to turn. The other options are jail, the hospital or
deah "
Lonon Smith: "It is always going to be easier to cut
funds from people least able to defend themselves.
Education gets cut; health facilities get cut; rapid transit
gets cut. And who doesn't lose money? People with
sufficient money to protect themselves. This is coincidental,
I'm sure, since no moral person would kick already
struggling people while they are down"
RQ Bella: It is more important than ever to provide a
safety net of care for those facing challenges today. We
need more effective and efficient use of funds for Mental
Health Services, not less funding. I urge you to commit to
the community and keep services available to those who
need it most"
Hector Medero: I'm an SSI recipient because of mental
health problems and I'm thinking of moving to Sacramento in
the early fall. I'm moving from New York City because i need
to be in a more stable and quiet environment. please don't
make it any more unstable for me and my recovery. Thank
you. Hector Medero
Molly Ferrell: "Too many folks in need-- what will they do?
Mental health services are vital for a healthy, progressive
community"
Sign also the Petition to Day
 Pease Click Here to Send us Comments, Suggestions, Corrections, Additions, Updates or Deletions
If you, or someone you know, experiencing disrupting symptoms of mental health, please call Adult Access
Team: (916) 875-1055 TTY/TDD: (916) 874-8070 Children's Access Team: (916) 875-9980 TTY/TDD: (916) 876-
8892. EMERGENCY MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES 24 HOURS Call 875-1000/CA Rely Service: 711, URGENT PSYCHIATRIC
SERVICES (916) 732 3637 or go directly to the Sacramento County Mental Health Treatment Center 2150 Stockton
Blvd