In recent weeks, The Seattle Times has published articles concerning mental-health issues, asking how we can improve the system.
And also recently, this: “Washington gets another positive state revenue forecast” [Nov. 19, Local News]:
Maybe it’s time for this state to stop the talk and walk the walk. Maybe, just maybe, this Legislature could designate all the budget reserves to mental health.
How about a nurse for every middle school?
How about a new Western Washington mental-health hospital? (Yes, tear down the current Western State Hospital in Lakewood.)
How about doubling the mental-health professionals across the state?
How about building more mental-health placement centers for those patients not serious enough for Western and needing help and a temporary placement outside of jail?
These are just a few humble suggestions. I am quite sure that if you polled any current mental-health workers they would have many more solid suggestions.
If not now, when? If not when, why?
Randy Fillingim, Seattle
The opinions expressed in reader comments are those of the author only and do not reflect the opinions of The Seattle Times.