County Officials Concerned about MHI Closure

County Officials say that the closure of the Mount Pleasant Mental Health Institute will have a negative effect on dealing with the mentally ill in Southeast Iowa.

“We, we have no other community-based services that will meet the needs like the MHI did.” Des Moines County Community Services Director Ken Hyndman told KBUR, “For people with mental health needs and dual-diagnosis treatment needs where they have mental health needs and substance abuse needs at the same time. Often times, people were court ordered to get treatment at the MHI for up to 30 days, and we don’t have anything like it.”

Hyndman says that medicaid, as of right now, will not cover long term stays at the two community residential care facilities in Southeast Iowa (one in Burlington, the other in Keosauqua). Putting a financial strain on mental health patients.

Ultimately, Hyndman fears that the closure will put a strain on the region’s prison system.

“Unfortunately, more people will end up in jail, or in hospitals for a short period of time without getting the full treatment that they need,” said Hyndman, “It’s just not available as it was in the past.”

The MHI’s in Mount Pleasant and Clarinda closed this month after Governor Terry Branstad vetoed a measure to fund those facilities.