Call the Governor: Best Advice for Those Concerned with Closure of Mt. Pleasant MHI

More than 50 people testified before a panel of state legislators over the weekend, trying to convince Governor Terry Branstad to keep the Mt. Pleasant Mental Health Institute open.

Area health-care professionals say it’s already stopped accepting new patients, including those with dual diagnoses of mental health and substance abuse issues, the only such treatment unit in the state.   The Institute’s funding will be cut off June 30th, the end of the state’s fiscal year.

Rob Hogg of Cedar Rapids is Chairman of the State Senate Oversight Committee and he says you should contact the Governor’s office directly with your concerns.  That phone number is 515-281-5211.

We’ve heard how closing Mt. Pleasant will affect those with mental health issues and the sheriff’s deputies who have to drive them to the nearest available facility, which would then be several hours away…..but Sue Henke of Davis County Hospital says the state’s shortage of mental health beds is already affecting emergency rooms and the patients who are dropped off there.

Dr. Amanda Winters is a psychiatrist at Great River Medical Center, which has an 8-bed unit…but she says shutting down the only D-D(dual diagnosis) program in the state is a huge loss for the hundreds of patients with substance abuse and mental health issues simultaneously.

The Governor’s budget has also taken the funding away from the Clarinda Mental Health Institute in southwest Iowa.