February 22, 2008

Roseanne Cheeseman
President and Publisher
Erie Times-News
letter@timesnews.com

Ms. Cheeseman,

I am writing to express the appreciation of myself and the staff of Safe Harbor Behavioral Health and it’s Crisis Services Department for the very thoughtful article, ‘Life in Crisis’ that was written by David Bruce and appeared in the Erie Times-News on Tuesday, February 19. Safe Harbor has received significant positive feedback regarding the article and the sensitivity that Mr. Bruce displayed in reporting the specific information regarding individuals receiving care from Crisis Services.

Mental illness affects 1 in 5 families in the United States. It can affect persons of any age, race, religion, or income, and are biologically-based brain disorders. Serious mental illnesses include major depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and borderline personality disorder. The good news about mental illness is that it is treatable and recovery is possible. Most people diagnosed with a serious mental illness can experience relief from their symptoms by actively participating in an individual treatment plan including pharmacological and psychosocial treatment, interpersonal therapy, peer support groups, and other community services. Without treatment the consequences of mental illness for the individual and society are staggering: unnecessary disability, unemployment, substance abuse, homelessness, inappropriate incarceration, suicide and wasted lives.

The staff of Crisis Services provides telephone, walk-in and mobile responses 24/7 - they are talented, compassionate professionals who are dedicated to providing the best care available. Over 2,000 phone calls and 300 comprehensive individual crisis evaluations are completed each month. Crisis Services has been designated as a ‘Model Program’ in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The service is available to anyone in Erie County with no charge to the individual as a result of the significant support and leadership from the Erie County Department of Human Services and the Erie County administration.

My thanks to the Erie Times-News for their willingness to give Mr. Bruce the flexibility to work on this story and remain sensitive to the confidential nature of Safe Harbor’s work.

Sincerely,

Jonathan Evans
President and CEO
Safe Harbor Behavioral Health
Crisis Services: 814-456-2014 or toll free at 1-800-300-9558