Secure funding for mental illness help

I have worked through mental illness for more than 33 years. I have been blessed to receive many services through the years. As a National Alliance for the Mentally Ill member and advocate. I want to share my recovery and why.

One of our sayings is, “Recovery, we can get there from here.” This slogan is in jeopardy if the counties and state don't work together for the goal of recovery for all the mentally ill.

My mental illness onset was so intense and I was in a pysch unit for two months. Back then, there was no medicine for schizophrenia. There were services along the way that led me to a path of recovery.

I have worked with the vocational program at Options from almost the beginning of my journey. As I grew in my recovery, I became a supervisor at Options. I received care in the early 1980s at the county home. It was very important to my recovery.

This help for people like me is in trouble over funding.

I also received care through the years at Abbe Mental Health Center. This is facing a waiting list for many months for psychiatric care. This care is critical to be there for the mental health community. I am blessed to not fall through the cracks. I encourage that we meet the needs for all who need help.

John J. Brobst

Cedar Rapids