""Cover Story" piece on Portland's population of mentally ill people an" by Chris Busby
 

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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