Title

"Cover Story" piece on Portland's population of mentally ill people and the rela

Authors

Chris Busby

Source

Casco Bay Weekly

Date

1-24-2002

Pages

10-11, 13, 15, 1

Abstract

"Cover Story" piece on Portland's population of mentally ill people and the related social and economic costs borne by the city. A 1995 report found that of the roughly 3,200 people in Portland suffering from severe mental illness, at least a third were homeless, and officials still estimate that between 60 and 80 percent of those using the city's shelters are mentally ill. Funding for adult mental-health services in southern Maine has nearly doubled in the last five years, from almost $17 million in 1997 to over $30 million in 2001, according to Peter O'Donnell, regional director of the state Department of Behavioral and Developmental Services, and the department's 2002 budget calls for over $34 million. Also with comments and statistics provided by representatives of the Preble Street Shelter, Amistad, and Ingraham, all of Portland; the Disability Rights Center in Augusta; Spring Harbor Hospital in South Portland; and the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI Maine).

Subjects

Homeless -- Portland, Mentally ill

https://digitalcommons.portlandlibrary.com/cbw_2002/4/

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