Funding for mental health system revamp offers hope, but officials say solutions will take time
Sen. Bob Keenan, of Bigfork, speaks during a Behavioral Health System for Future Generations Commission meeting at Flathead Valley Community College on Thursday, Nov. 30. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
Charlie Brereton, director of the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, speaks during a Behavioral Health System for Future Generations Commission meeting at Flathead Valley Community College on Thursday, Nov. 30. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
A Behavioral Health System for Future Generations Commission meeting at Flathead Valley Community College on Thursday, Nov. 30. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
A Behavioral Health System for Future Generations Commission meeting at Flathead Valley Community College on Thursday, Nov. 30. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider
Barbara Hadley has shared her story at multiple community meetings on behavioral health in Northwest Montana, detailing her struggle to help a relative undergoing a severe mental health crisis — one that led to his eventual arrest and placement in county jail.
“He sat in there for at least six months … six months with no mental health care, nothing — as if he's a criminal,” Hadley said. “Granted, he did something and needs to be accountable for that. But I've been trying to get somebody to step in because it wasn't like a criminal mind. It's somebody who's sick.”
There are few options for people in Hadley’s position and she said she feels like she’s exhausted all avenues. Her relative is now in the state hospital awaiting an evaluation and his day in court.
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