Letter to the Editor: Wallace says more mental health services needed

One last word is needed before we all vote on Tuesday or mail in our ballots. That is Mental Health – I realize that is two words, but the problem is also twice as big as most people realize. This is especially true in our city and county.

Counties in California are assigned the job of providing mental health services by the State of California. It probably comes as no surprise that most of the office staff and mental health workers live and work in Placerville. Yet we are the largest city in the entire county.

In my work at the Presbyterian Church, I see and interact with homeless people every day. As I see it, there are three distinct groups. The first are those individuals who simply choose to live on their own, outside – the #homefree crowd. The second group is those who are truly down on their luck, just need a hand and seek services. That but for the grace of God that could be anyone in America. The last group is the largest, and it breaks my heart. It is those who are mentally ill or addicted to drugs. In the wake of the pandemic, our youth have had increased mental instability caused by fear and loneliness.

We have all seen the pictures of rows of people living on the streets of our large cities. There are many here, but the forest hides them from plain sight. Every family has had a member or has known someone in need of help. Those needs often go unanswered resulting in suicides, shootings and incarcerations. But there seems to be little help. Our police are overwhelmed and need more mental health professionals to partner with.

Even citizens in the mainstream of life here struggle to get adequate mental health services.

Our county can and must do more, especially in District Five. I believe that there are now funds available and our next County Supervisor, must be willing to make it a priority that Tahoe and Pollock Pines get our fair share. I certainly will.

Tamara Wallace, candidate
County Supervisor District Five
wallace4supervisor.com