4-11-22: A Mental Health Crisis of Pandemic Proportions

Reporter Jonathan Vankin dives into the history of mental health treatment in California, from its early years to the deinstitutionalization movement, which sought to move mental patients out of state institutions—an effort kicked off in 1963 when President John F. Kennedy signed the Community Mental Health Act. After his death, enthusiasm for funding a national network of community treatment centers dried up—leaving thousands of mentally ill Californians on the street.

We also look at Governor Gavin Newsom’s plan to get more mentally ill Californians into treatment programs. Under Newsom’s proposal, all 58 California counties would be required to augment their court systems with a Community Assistance Recovery and Empowerment Court that would handle cases involving individuals who need treatment for mental illnesses but either can’t or won’t seek it out.

Santa Cruz County struggles with a large homeless population, some of whom are afflicted with mental illnesses. But they’re hardly the only members of society who can find themselves in crisis. Below is a link to California Local’s guide to mental health resources, including services provided by the county and nonprofit groups such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness. If you know of a program or service that should be included, click on the “Keep It Fresh” boxed item to the right of the article, and send us a note.