On Local police wait hours with people in mental health crisis
Posted on July 21 at 4:54 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
Your article highlighted extreme cases. No one questions the need for improved care of adolescents. Currently there are NO facilities in Rock Co. for people under 18 years of age. They must be transferred to another area, and that, unfortunately takes a great deal of time. I'm sorry the police are tied up, but until the state statutes no longer require the individual to be IN CUSTODY until admitted to an approved receiving facility, this can't be helped. If there is no attempt to harm self, there is NO NEED to bring these people to Mercy Hospital. They can go directly to Crisis, which should speed things up considerably. Also, what your article fails to mention is that the majority of people seen in the ER for mental health issues are well known to the ER because they come in all the time. In some cases, a person is admitted, signs out against medical advice the next day, and shows up again 2 days later. You cannot force people to take good care of themselves, stay on their medication, or be responsible. NO EASY ANSWER, and no one is solely at fault...not the hospital, not Rock County.
On Mercy, county discuss mental health crisis
Posted on June 21 at 4:32 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I've observed second-hand how long it takes to get help for a mental health patient. Where are the social workers in the emergency room at Mercy Hospital? Every other facility I've heard of has them on staff to assist patients. Why not have the Rock Co. workers at the Emergency rooms to process people, and find them a place to go while they wait to be medically cleared? How is it we are paying for services in this county, but NOT getting them?
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On High schools to open new areas early in '09
Posted on October 23 at 2:24 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
I agree with Peppermeister: good schools, civic pride, reinvestment in our downtown, cultural offerings...these are things that attract families and businesses to a community. I like Janesville; I want to stay here...so I support improvements that add to the quality of life in "my town".