Discussion

LETTER: Mental Health Care Disaster

Play
Listen to this Article
1 minute
Loading Audio... Article will play after ad...
Playing in :00
A
A
A

Letters to the EditorIt seems as if no one is concerned about the mental healthcare disaster on the Big Island.

The fact is, we have the highest rate of suicide of any Hawaiian island, with nearly 100 deaths from 2010–14.

There are only two psychiatrists to deal with emergencies on the entire island and the case management services have been cut dramatically in the past few years.

Gov. Linda Lingle cut 319 mental health positions in 2009, leading to increased suicides, homelessness and drug use on the island.

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW AD
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW AD

I have worked in hospital emergency departments across the US and have never seen such a broken system.

It’s horribly sad to see how we’ve abandoned children and adults in need.

We all heard the news about the tragedy of the 14-year-old from Mountain View who suffered and ended up with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW AD

We failed him.

Most of these people are poor. Without a voice, they are forgotten. For each person who we abandon, there are families, children, spouses and a community who suffer.

Please consider writing your representatives. The Big Island should not be forgotten.

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW AD

Send “Letters to the Editor” to editor@bigislandnow.com.

Sponsored Content

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Stay in-the-know with daily or weekly
headlines delivered straight to your inbox.
Cancel
×

Comments

This comments section is a public community forum for the purpose of free expression. Although Big Island Now encourages respectful communication only, some content may be considered offensive. Please view at your own discretion. View Comments