Mental illness needs our attention

Mental illness seems to be a subject that many don't want to think about. They don't want to deal with it and consider those with mental illness the underbelly of society. They are wrong. One in four have a mental illness and this subject needs our attention rather than being swept under the rug. If you think about your family, you probably know someone with mental illness.

Linn County funding is in dire straits. We are cutting services, which in turn causes less effective outcomes. Is this the way our country, state and our local government handles this situation? Do we allow human pain? Or do we pony up and address this issue face on?

I have a mental illness and the safety net has caught me. But how about the tens of thousands who rely on our system of care in this state? I urge you to come up with positive solutions, including funding and help us get through this scourge. Now is the time and it's the right thing to do.

Steve J. Miller

Cedar Rapids