DaytonDailyNews.com

Mentally ill too often overlooked

When I heard the news that Twin Valley would be closing, I felt sick to my stomach, and it was from more than just the loss of jobs. I'm a bit biased, as I am a mental health provider, and I have done some of my training there. Few hospitals in the area provide the level of care and services that Twin Valley provides. People with chronic mental illness often require a high level of care that most other facilities in Dayton cannot match.

Closing Twin Valley will not only limit access to care in Dayton, but also its neighbors, as it services many surrounding counties. In addition to patient care, Twin Valley has served as a training site for generations of future physicians, psychologists, nurses and social workers.

The most surprising and alarming aspect of this is that it comes from a governor who is trained as a psychologist. I can understand that some cuts need to be made to help the budget, but it is sad that the mentally ill are often those who are overlooked, even by those trained to care for them.

The impact on this community will be felt in Dayton and beyond, both now and in the future. It is not too late to voice an opposing opinion. Please contact your local representative and the governor's office to make your feelings known. Silence does nothing to help.

— David Hart

Oakwood

Twin Valley closing to have negative impact

The article about the closing of the Twin Valley Behavioral Healthcare facility was on Page A6 of the Dayton Daily News. This facility has been the primary inpatient provider for mental health services in the Dayton area for the past 153 years. Its relegation to the sixth page speaks volumes about the consideration that the severely mentally ill and their families have received from society, in general, and now from the Strickland administration.

Twin Valley serves, on average, 60 new admissions per month. It has provided long-term care for more than 55 of the most severely affected patients who are committed under orders from the Common Pleas Court. The elimination of this facility will have extremely negative effects on the patients and their family members. This aspect has been virtually ignored by the DDN.

Inarguably, Twin Valley currently provides the best psychiatric care of any facility, public or private, in the state. Over the years, the relationship it has with the Wright State School of Psychiatry has been a paragon of cooperation and career advancement. This alliance has enhanced careers of dedicated professionals, as well as provided a high level of care for the mentally ill patients whom they serve.

Ohio has a "rainy day fund" in excess of 1 billion dollars. The storm clouds are now lingering over one of the most disabled and disenfranchised segments of our community. In my opinion, the measurement of a community is in direct proportion with how that community treats those who are less fortunate.

I would like the DDN to explore the ramifications of this closing and why the state has not explored the option of funding it through "rainy day" monies. This constitutes a higher priority than "Keno."

— Jim Chase

Washington Twp.

Strickland's move full of political hypocrisy

Re "Voinovich criticizes Strickland lottery plan," Feb. 1: Hats off to the DDN for pointing out the political hypocrisy of Gov. Ted Strickland's attempt to add another cruel tax in the form of electronic video gambling, while at the same time closing two mental health centers in Ohio. It's amazing to me that Ohioans allow the lottery in all its versions, vehemently oppose casino gambling, and hardly whimper when the mentally ill get kicked in the teeth again.

Dayton Mayor Rhine McLin's comment, "How do you fight the state... ?" ("153-year-old hospital to shutter," Feb. 1), is an appalling lack of leadership. Did McLin call the governor's office, or, heaven forbid, drive to Columbus and stomp her feet in front of Strickland's desk?

And boos to Sen. George Voinovich for opposing "full-blown gambling." What are the lottery and horse racing?

At least with casino gambling, the payouts are better than the lottery, and Ohioans would keep their gambling losses in Ohio. And, if the casino taxes funded our mental health facilities, the addicted gamblers might have a place to go for treatment.

— Thomas E. Gorczyca

Beavercreek