Linda Mayo: Tell Stanislaus supervisors that help from severely mentally ill is crucial

Re “Stanislaus County survey asks residents for opinion on Laura’s Law” (Page 3A, June 10): Remember Prop 63, the millionaires tax? Voters approved a special tax on the wealthy to help the severely mentally ill. Have you seen any improvement? The SMI are increasingly filling our streets, jails and hospitals. Laura’s Law mandates outpatient treatment for those too ill to recognize their need for treatment. It can be funded with Prop 63 dollars.

Stanislaus county can implement Laura’s Law, also known as Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT). It is successful in 46 states, but California lets counties decide whether to implement. While other states have proven success, California lags behind with only 17 counties having implemented and few have been in use over 2 years.

It is not because of lack of funding we see the despair of the mentally ill. It is because of lack of prioritizing treatment for the severely mentally ill. And it’s only getting worse.

Let your voice be heard. Stanislaus County has an on-line survey for your input. Please help by voicing your support. To take the survey in English: www.surveymonkey.com/r/LauraLaw

To take the survey in Spanish: www.surveymonkey.com/r/LauraLawSp

Feedback will be taken through June 25.

This story was originally published June 12, 2017 at 4:02 PM with the headline "Linda Mayo: Tell Stanislaus supervisors that help from severely mentally ill is crucial."