Sep 10, 2009 6:32 pm US/Central
Officials Discuss Mental Health Funding Shortfall
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
-
-
Randy Cook says he takes depression medication, thanks to a city clinic. But such services face funding shortfalls.
CBS
From the homeless man you see begging on the street to loved ones dealing with depression, mental illness can affect anyone.
The mentally ill were the subject of a closed-door meeting at City Hall late Thursday afternoon.
CBS 2's Dorothy Tucker reports that mental health care professionals are trying to figure out how to serve more patients with less budget money.
"I slit my throat twice, I slit my wrist about eight times," Randy Cook said.
The homeless panhandler, who suffers from depression, takes medication that helps him sleep and be stable.
Cook gets his medication for free from a North Side clinic. He's among the nearly 9,000 mental health patients in Chicago who rely on the clinics for service.
Charles Hunt is another patient. He said he can't cope without medication.
"I see a lot of things in my head," Hunt said.
There are a dozen clinics in the city. last year, they operated on a budget of more than $7 million. This year, they're $2 million short.
Last week, fearing that city leaders might close some clinics to save money, mental health care advocates protested outside the mayor's office. But this week, as advocates and city leaders meet behind closed doors, they all talk about the need to put patients first.
"People who are mentally ill aren't in control of themselves," said Dr. Terry Mason of the Chicago Department of Public Health. "They could hurt themselves, they could hurt other people.
Tim Pace is bipolar and admits that when he doesn't take his medicine he can become violent. Tim's message to those meeting Thursday: Don't cut any clinics, don't cut any patients.
"Think about the peoples," Pace said.
Advocates tell Dorothy that today's meeting of mental health professionals is expected to be the first of several.
No decisions on cuts were made this afternoon
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
The Tattooed Ladies of Hollywood
Click to enlarge
Snow Continues To Clobber Chicago Tuesday Night 15 mins ago 
Walter's Perspective: Blame For Cohen Fiasco 16 mins ago 
Stumble It!
Reporting
Comments