More mental health beds are needed

I am writing to bring attention to the lack of enough mental health beds in Iowa. I work at a health facility, and I see this on a regular basis.

It is very difficult to find a bed is this area, especially pediatric mental health beds. Sometimes we have to send patients to facilities as far away as Des Moines, Mason City or Council Bluffs. In some cases, we've had to send patients into Nebraska.

I would like to see the state reopen one of the closed mental health institutes, in Mount Pleasant or Clarinda, or make more use of its existing facility in Independence. A reopened facility could serve as a catchall for patients when no other choices exist. I'm sure excellent professionals could be found to staff these state institutions.

David Smalley

Anamosa