Mental health services are needed

To the editor:

Imagine that your child comes home from school with a fever. It looks serious, so you take immediate action to get your child the best care you can find, at your doctor's office, local urgent care center, local emergency room or even inpatient care. Very soon your child has the care he or she needs to start healing.

Now, imagine that your child comes home from school with a serious mental health problem. In 40 percent of Iowa counties, you would have a hard time finding the mental health professional you need. At the emergency room, you could wait for days rather than hours. If your child needed inpatient services, they would likely be located hours away from your home, sometimes even out of state. Financial need could result in a wait of up to 21 months. Adults struggle, too.

Iowa's mental health care system works hard to serve people in need, but facilities and personnel are often not there. USA Today gave Iowa a D grade in a 2011 survey. Things are worse now.

Our governor is closing two of four mental health hospitals. State legislators and county supervisors are struggling to find ways to provide these services. You may hear directly from them at a forum at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 12, at Lovely Lane United Methodist Church, 2424 42nd St NE. Come to tell them you know about the need, you support their search for solutions, you expect results.

Myrna Loehrlein

President, League of Women Voters Linn County

Cedar Rapids