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Impact of SE Iowa Mental Health Facility Closure

Southeast Iowa is already experiencing the potential fall-out from the proposed closing of a state-run facility.

Governor Terry Branstad included no money in his FY 2016 budget for the Mental Health Institute (MHI) in Mount Pleasant. There is also no money for the facility in Clarinda in southwest Iowa.

The Department of Human Services said there are about 50 people receiving care in Mount Pleasant, and that number is expected to shrink in the coming weeks. That's due in part to the facility no longer accepting referrals for patients in need of psychiatric care.

Kirsten Kramer, Community Transition Coordinator for the Lee and Des Moines County jails, said that has already led to a difficult situation in Des Moines County.  She said a woman in need of psychiatric services was released from Great River Medical Center in West Burlington because she could not be referred to the Mount Pleasant MHI.

"We had to unfortunately see that woman come back to us with a severe assault charge with a dangerous weapon," said Kramer.  "And then, unfortunately, (she) bonded out before we could get any transition resources established for her.”

Kramer is worried this situation will repeat itself as the time draws closer for shutting down the Mount Pleasant facility.

A spokeswoman for the Iowa Department of Human Services said referrals have been a challenge at the MHI in Mount Pleasant because there are only ten beds available and they are generally full.

She added that substance abuse referrals are still being accepted.

Credit Jason Parrott / Tri States Public Radio
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Tri States Public Radio
State Senator Rich Taylor (D-Mount Pleasant) says the Mount Pleasant MHI is important to the entire state of Iowa.

PUBLIC FORUM

Meanwhile, the future of the Mount Pleasant MHI will be the subject of a community meeting on Sat. Feb. 7.

State Senator Rich Taylor (D-Mount Pleasant) is sponsoring the event, which will be held from 12:00 P.M. - 2:00 P.M. at the Mount Pleasant Public Library.

"The Mount Pleasant Mental Health Institute provides an essential service to all Iowa families," said Taylor.

"Our job is to educate legislators from both parties about the real costs of caring for severely mentally-ill people.  That way, they will understand why Mount Pleasant is a smart investment for Iowa taxpayers."

Jason Parrott is a former reporter at Tri States Public Radio.