Lexington County sticks with mental health aid cut
State (Columbia, SC)May 27, 2015
Council members said the donation is no longer affordable with state aid cuts forcing elimination of things not required.
Two mental health advocates warned elimination of the aid could threaten to close emergency services commonly used by people contemplating suicide.
"That funding has got to be there to help,"
It's vital that such care be available for people "who need somewhere to go," especially to cope with depression,
Council members agreed the service is valuable but said it's up to mental health officials to find a way to keep them going.
Taking away the aid is a tough call but "we can't continue to contribute" with the need to improve other services, Councilman
County leaders are ending the 35-year-old tradition of extra aid for mental health care.
The
Elimination of the mental health aid is part of a
A property tax increase of slightly more than
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