I write again as the mother of an adult son with schizophrenia.

I first wrote (“Schizophrenics need proper treatment,” Jan. 19) when he was about to become homeless and hurt himself or someone else in his unmedicated psychotic state. Through heroic police intervention he was finally hospitalized and, after three long years, admitted to a hospital for inpatient care.

Good ending? Unfortunately it’s only a maybe, because now I have to worry about him being released back to the street to repeat the pattern because Maine has neither enough supported housing nor care teams (assertive community treatment) to assist people with serious brain disorders stay on their medication and help with life issues.

Why should people care? Because if my son could receive this essential care he would first, not be a potential danger to society, and second, return to work (which he wishes to do) and be a peaceful taxpaying citizen rather than a continuing drain on our state’s resources with repeated police interactions, trips to the emergency room, and extended costly inpatient stays.

How can people help? The issue of funding more care teams and support for those with serious brain disorders is being debated right now in our state Legislature. If our state votes to spend $1.3 million, then we will receive $10 million in federal funding.

So, I am asking as a mother and a Mainer that people contact their representatives to encourage them to vote for funds to help keep our society safe and treat people with brain disorders humanely.

Sarah Gibson, Bethel

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