Poll: priority for increasing public mental health funding

[steve2470]

I'm curious to see how DU feels. I think it's in the top 5 of priorities, definitely. There are so many pressing priorities, but yes, I do feel it ranks very high for all Americans to have adequate public mental health facilities.

0 votes, 0 passes | Time left: Unlimited
	In the top 10 on my priority list
	0 (0%)
	It's number one on my list
	0 (0%)
	It's not on my list at all
	0 (0%)
	In the top 5 on my priority list
	0 (0%)
	Obligatory other (see my post for full details)
	0 (0%)
	Cats
	0 (0%)
	Dogs
	0 (0%)
	Horses
	0 (0%)
	Beer
	0 (0%)
	Chocolate
	0 (0%)
	0 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided.
Show usernames Disclaimer: This is an Internet poll

[Agschmid]

1. On my list.

Not sure the rank... Or how it could actually be done.

[steve2470]

7. maybe with some reallocation of resources

Yes, I'm aware that probably won't happen. More deficit spending is much more likely, if at all.

[Jamastiene]

2. If it wasn't for the fact that my local public mental health

was where I was told to "get right with God" after I got raped for being a lesbian, I might think of it as a priority. Not only that, but many local therapists both public and private believe in reparative/conversion therapy and offer ONLY that for the LGBT community here. Add to it that the local community college teaches that being gay is a mental illness using old textbooks, and I'm not sold on mental health being all that helpful to the public.

As a matter of fact, I would rather see public mental health equalized across the country. Either little homophobic shithole towns like mine (and I cannot imagine how much worse it might be in other small towns) stop pushing harmful anti-gay therapy or they get de-funded. THAT is what I want to see.

Only then would I see it anywhere near a priority, imo. If government funded community colleges and mental health clinics can get by with doing more harm to the LGBT community than good, and obviously, at least in my hometown, they can and will and do, I'd rather see the local one here completely stripped of funding until they stop teaching outdated bullshit and preaching at people who just got raped for being gay.

I will have to pass on this certain poll. Because of my experiences with public mental health, I don't think I can say I want it funded any more than it already is, without some major changes.

[steve2470]

3. oh wow I am so sorry to hear of your bad experiences!!!

[Jamastiene]

4. Thank you.

I wish there was a way to make a national standard so that experiences like mine would not happen any more, ever again.

I don't feel I can answer your poll without bias, because of my experiences.

[bettyellen]

5. I think we need to require social services to be secular and non discriminatory.

As your story shows they can compound a persons problems instead of helping.
You're very brave to share your story. All the best to you.

[steve2470]

6. [phone] nt

[LuvNewcastle]

8. A lot of the 'therapists' who hang out shingles

in these shithole towns got their degrees or certification or whatever is required at some Bible college, which might not even be accredited. I don't know what your state requires, but someone desperately needs to look into your situation in your town. That is a crying shame, Jamastiene. I'd be ready to tear it all down, figuratively speaking, if I were you. There's a shortage of therapists and doctors where I live, and the fundy therapists are allowed to pick up the slack. I think people are better off with nothing instead of a goddamn fundy. There definitely need to be national standards for therapists. That is just outrageous.

[steve2470]

9. part of the problem is agency budgets

In larger companies, the HR department can increase wages and improve benefits to attract people and entice them to move. Not sure about nonprofits. If an agency offered, for example, $80K a year to credentialed people with decent benefits, someone would move. Offering $30K with mediocre benefits ? Good luck.