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E-mail to a friend | By Shavonne Potts
spotts@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY ? Mary Sechler, an advocate for people with traumatic brain injuries, left Gloria Dei Lutheran Church on Thursday night with a handful of papers.
She will take them back to others who could not attend a town hall meeting held at the church?s fellowship center. The meeting was sponsored by the Coalition, a group made up of 40 organizations that advocate for people living with developmental disabilities, addictive disease and mental illness.
The town hall meeting was an opportunity for the Coalition to explain the state budget and its impact on mental health, developmental disabilities and substance abuse services.
The purpose of the meeting, which is one of a series, was to bring attention to how the loss of state funds affects people who receive services from various mental health organizations.
The meeting was attended by advocates, consumers and members of the local National Alliance on Mental Illness group, as well as others who receive or provide services to people concerning mental health and other disabilities.
Jennifer Mahan, chair of the Coalition, spoke to the group, encouraging them to be vocal with their local lawmakers.
She hopes her talk will spur people to ?take action.? she said.
?It is absolutely critical that people let their elected officials know their concerns,? Mahan said.
The truth is the economy fell apart, Mahan told the group, and there isn?t much funding to work with.
Spending for these types of services, be it mental illness or substance abuse, doesn?t meet the demand in this state, Mahan said.
Growth in dollars has not kept pace with population growth. People who aren?t able to receive services because of lack of funding wait years for help, or in some cases end up in jail, she said.
People who need these services are at great risk if the current system fails, Mahan said.
Budget reductions can mean loss of services, lost access to needed medical treatment, loss of support and quality of life for people who need it and loss of independence. And in some cases, providers may have to close doors and/or lose employees.
?It?s about making sure funds go to serve the people,? Mahan said.
Sechler said one way to spread the word is to first open up about mental illness and other disabilities.
?We have to get rid of the stigma,? Sechler said following the meeting.
There are a number of underserved people who already miss out on some services, she said.
?You have to be willing to fight for yourselves,? Sechler said.
?It was very informative. It helps us understand better an overview of how the state budget works,? said John Giampaoll with PBH (Piedmont Behavioral Health).
For more information about the Coalition and the dates of future town hall meetings, visit www.thecoalitionnc.org.
Contact reporter Shavonne Potts at 704-797-4253.
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Source: http://www.salisburypost.com/News/032312-NAMI-town-hall-meeting-The-Coalition-qcd
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