Be They Democrats or Republicans, Privatization w/ no funding, Will Collapse Any State's MH Services

Atlanta Journal Constitution: http://www.ajc.com/services/content/metro
/stories/2008/08/21
/mental_health_privatize.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=13

Mental health system may cut back, privatize
Amid budget pain, state weighs hospitals’ future

(My letter to the editor of the Atlanta Journal Constitution)

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Be they Dems or Republicans, Mental Health Privatization Does Not Work

I read with dismay the information concerning a desire to privatize some of the mental health services in GA. I was formerly licensed as a psychologist in GA.

This privatization won't work. Funding is what works. Privatization is a red herring that, in the beginning, seems to be an inspiration.

NC has been undergoing MH Reform for the past 7 years under Democratic Governor Easley. The problem is the same as in GA: the state legislature refused to fund the matter.

All this talk about taking mental health services into the community also will not work and for the same reason: it won't be funded.

People magically believe that somehow privatization has some way of acting more efficiently. It doesn't----not as regards intensive, professionally driven services.

The providing of mental health services is not about making a better, cheaper burger.

Fund it, GA (right at the bottom of MH funding) or expect a decade of (more) collapsing MH services.

Marsha V. Hammond, PhD: Clinical Licensed Psychologist, NC