Letters to the Editor

To the editor,

I walked into the library, saw Todd and said: "I think you are great, even if others don't agree." My first recollection of a library was at Jefferson grade school in Richland, when the librarian told me I could not check out that many books, but don't worry, I will keep these extra books under the counter for you when you are ready for them. I could not get enough. The library, school and the whole city was owned by the federal government, because we had built the Atomic Bomb. A wonderful library. Nothing was too good for us.

A thirst for reading is an essential ingredient for most jobs, careers, and professions. Being a good reader makes most everything easier. The Dayton/Columbia County Rural Library is a superlative asset to all residents--preschool through seniors.

Let's stop condemning the entire library over a very few books that do not meet everyone's literary standards. We really do have a library and staff to be proud of.

Crane Bergdahl

Dayton, Wash.

To the editor,

Mental health crisis just like physical health crisis can be devastating for individuals' families and communities. Over the last year it is my understanding that our county contracted with comprehensive mental health services to provide crisis response/care. The current approach to crisis care in our community has led to delays, denial of services that creates undue burden on the individual, on our law enforcement emergency department and our justice system. The current approach to crisis mental healthcare must be transformed and I am requesting the contract with comprehensive be reevaluated.

When determining if there is adequate capacity to meet the needs of the community an assessment is required on whether, or not, individuals are able to access needed services in a timely manner.

Comprehensive is failing this community, response times are often several hours, there is a complete lack of coordination and connection to services following a crisis episode, there is no continuity of care as current crisis/care is working in a silo acting independently and not integrated with current healthcare system.

Law enforcement and first responders are expected to take the person in crisis to the hospital first, not the crisis unit. It should be noted that this does not represent best practice as defined in Crisis Service Best Practice Toolkit, boarding individuals with psychiatric issues in our emergency department and over representation of people with mental health and substance abuse within our justice system indicates insufficient capacity within our community and warrants evaluation and analysis of the contract the county has with comprehensive.

Theresa Eier RN

Dayton, Wash.