ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) – Mental health has been a high-profile issue and now the city is looking to kick in more than $1 million in an effort with the county to help those suffering. It’s the first step in addressing a problem that’s been called a crisis in the Duke City.
“This is filling another gap in the homeless and behavioral health population,” said Albuquerque City Councilor Isaac Benton.
Those gaps, Benton says, must be closed.
“It really occupies the courts, occupies our law enforcement to a great extent.”
That’s why, along with fellow councilor Brad Winter, he’s looking to pitch in more than $1 million of city funds to combat the mental health crisis.
“This will provide funding in partnership with the county,” Benton said.
Based on findings from the Task Force on Behavioral Health, Benton says $500,000 would go toward those caught up in the “revolving door” at the Metropolitan Detention Center.
He says for too many, it’s the only place to get help.
“These are people that have behavioral issues that are chronically involved in the criminal justice system,” Benton said.
Wayne Johnson said, “Ever since I saw that someone was arrested for littering in order to get them off the streets and some mental health care at MDC, I’ve been a supporter of finding other ways to treat those people.”
In April. Brandon Amburgey was picked up for tossing out a cigarette.
“Jail is definitely not the best place to receive treatment,” said Johnson, a Bernalillo County Commissioner.
He says everyone will have to work together to put a dent in the problem. Some of the money will also be used to provide more short-term housing options for jail inmates.
The other half of the money, more than $600,000, will go toward getting those living on the streets with mental health problems a place to stay. It will also help pay for people to keep a closer eye on them.
“You want to help them get stabilized, help them become more sufficient as they move through their life, not get them in a position where they’re dependent on the government for things like housing,” Johnson said.
Neither Benton nor Johnson are sure if this will be enough money to get things up and running. Both say the mental health question voters saw on the ballot this year shows there is taxpayer support to help pay for these services.
Benton and Winter’s bill will be introduced at Monday’s city council meeting. Benton says they will look at next year’s budget to see how much more they can spend on mental health. As for Johnson, he wants to make sure the county proceeds carefully.
