Invest in mental health services, speakers urge Sedgwick County

Adding a mental health pod at the Sedgwick County jail would be a good use of taxpayer dollars, speakers urged commissioners Tuesday during a public hearing about next year’s budget.

Sheriff Robert Hinshaw has pushed for such an area of the jail, saying it makes more sense to house inmates with mental illnesses together to concentrate on treatment.

Such inmates often cause the most problems in jail, so better addressing their care makes sense, Hinshaw has said.

Gerry Litchti, president of the Wichita chapter of the National Association on Mental Illness, advocated the county invest in mental health services.

County manager William Buchanan’s proposed budget for next year includes money for addressing mental illnesses among inmates. It does not specifically call for a mental health pod, but that is one of the options if commissioners approve the funding.

A consumer of mental health care told commissioners that people with mental illnesses do better in a calm atmosphere, which a pod would help facilitate.

Commissioners will vote Wednesday on the budget. Their meeting begins at 9 a.m. in their chambers on the third floor of the courthouse, 525 N. Main.

This story was originally published August 10, 2010 at 11:41 AM with the headline "Invest in mental health services, speakers urge Sedgwick County."