The state of our mental health system is truly dismal. In the northern third of our state, there are only 20 beds for those addicted on hard drugs and meth.
The quality of the few psychiatrists here is extremely poor, and some of them have sold their soul as part of pill mills. One D.O. is open until 9:00 p.m. two nights per week, and there will be 20-30 people in the waiting room waiting for their 2 minutes with the doctor--$150 per visit, cash or ATM cards only (no insurance accepted.) One psychiatrist refuses to prescribe more than one medicine--when mental health patients just about always have 2 or more issues that need treating.
And then you have the issue with mental health patients that refuse to get treatment or admit they have a problem. Even if they have a severe mental episode and get taken into the hospital, they're back on the streets in a day or two. Adults cannot be held against their will--even though their judgement is seriously impaired.
And the general nature of those with mental problems is to self medicate. They will turn to alcohol, marijuana, meth and heroin. And those on such drugs have a tendency to do illegal activities like steal and sell drugs. Many are unemployed and homeless after alienating their families and original friends.
We have a 32 year old daughter that's in this category--bipolar and of the borderline personality disorder. She'd rather run around with ex-convicts and drug users crashing on anyone's couch that'll let her stay. Although she has full health insurance, she refuses to go to the doctor as she knows they'll spot her for what she is. And we, the parents, suffer trying to keep living a normal life while raising an 8 year old granddaughter. We finally moved 65 miles to another city to get away from her.
