Mental health services must be expanded

Jail and prison are the most likely choices for law enforcement when mental health options are in short supply. Some estimates by the state say roughly between 6 and 10 percent of the approximately 1, 800 state prisoners have a serious mental illness.

What's the world coming to? We hear that once in a while. We hear it when a man sits in his car in a church parking lot in an eastern town and commits suicide. It's heard when a man is shot in the back at a rural North Dakota wedding reception.

It's repeated again when an area sheriff's officer tells us of the delusional thinking of suspects he hears when he makes an arrest.

These stories factor into an overflowing prison system and crowded local jails.

Although the Bismarck penitentiary was expanded last year for $64 million, the prison is at record levels of 1, 800, and considered to be about 500 more than an ideal capacity. Prison inmates from North Dakota may be shipped to other states by the end of the year.

Jail and prison are the most likely choices for law enforcement when mental health options are in short supply. Some estimates by the state say roughly between 6 and 10 percent of the roughly 1, 800 state prisoners have a serious mental illness.

Recent news articles report there is a public outcry by correctional officials and mental health professionals to address the problem of seriously mentally ill in the general population. An Associated Press story quoted the director of the state's prison system as saying that we're on course to have the prison population double in the next decade and quadruple in 20 years. In the past legislative session, lawmakers approved $32 million for contract inmate housing and addiction treatment during two years, up $10 million from the previous two years.

The solutions won't be easy.

Mental health professionals are in short supply. Treatment options are few because facilities are often full with a waiting list. Since many of the nation's mental hospitals were closed in the 1970s and 1980s, jails and prisons are sometimes the only option.

The 2017 Legislature will be asked to make reforms.

Funding for addiction treatment and rehabilitation should be high priorities. It's time to take a look at the prison sentences of non-repeat offenders. Some need to remain in the prison system, some need reduced sentences and some need to be released and placed on probation.

Services for the mentally ill must be expanded. Medication, counseling, case management and prescriptions are all important to minimize re-offending.

It's not going to be easy but it's important for the state to have the public's support for reforms.

Locally, we can support the efforts of places like McLean County Resource Center (which gets a first hand look at the impact of a multitude of health and financial issues), local food pantries, the community chest and county social services.

We can also contact our local legislators to support the reforms.

The health of many of our residents depends on it.