Community Mental Health Clinics to be Hit Hard by State Budget Cuts

Some Community Mental Health Center officials say they could have trouble surviving because Governor Haley Barbour vetoed $7 million in state funding.

Community Mental Health Centers around the state could have trouble surviving because Governor Haley Barbour vetoed $7 million in state funding. MPB's Lawayne Childrey reports what impact that could have on clinics and the patients they serve.

34 year old Cassandra Flanders sits quietly in the waiting room of the Hinds Behavioral Health Clinic in Jackson. She says she's afraid the state’s budget cuts could cause her to lose some vital mental health services that she's come to depend on.

“I’ve been doing prison time since I was 17 years old and I really need these services. And without being able to come here and get my medication and see the psychiatrist and stuff that I need to see it’s really hard for me to get re-established back in society.”

Hinds is one 15 community mental health clinics throughout the state. Margaret Harris is Executive Director.

“And I keep thinking we need to be considering how we are treating those most in need and how we wanna be recognized as citizens of our state.”

Kristy Leah, Director of Children's Services believes the impact of losing any services could be especially difficult on children.

“And you may see those children in ah, institutions. You may see them at the juvenile justice center. You may see them out on the street. And I think that they need those early intervention services so that they won’t go down the wrong path. I think they deserve better than that.”

The Governor said he vetoed the funding because lawmakers agreed to take only $95 million out of state reserves, and the $7 million exceeded that promise. For MPB News, I’m Lawayne Childrey.