Further Mental Health Questions

 Questions About Mental Health Services continued. 

Why did I post the information yesterday on Minnesota Mental Health facilities? Because curiosity was stimulated through random conversations. Maybe the story was over. 

However, upon arising I looked at the Star Tribune newspaper. On the front page, an article describes how a major insurance carrier is cutting back on coverage for therapy counseling.

The answer to my question about the relevance of facts related to Minnesota Mental Health care is that support for troubled people is being made more difficult to find and afford. There is a long-term trend. Once large hospitals provided safety for vulnerable people by keeping them off the streets, out of jails and prisons, and made families safer.

Smaller treatment centers and retirement communities hardly fill the need but they appear to be best we can do.

 

The costs can be high. Average annual US cost is $82,000 for semi private care for one person.  I know of one couple who face an annual cost of $250,000.

 

Hopefully Long Term Care Insurance was put in place years before.  Even so life savings may soon be exhausted. Medicade will provide some aid. The emotional stress from financial collapse increases the possibility of serious illness.

 

Rural areas are sparsely settled many do not have medical services for child birth or the end of life journey. Care often involves separation from family and neighbors.

 

The diversity of Minnesota culture and ethnic life is a unique challenge for understanding mental health. 

History beginning with Native American people needs to be understood as we look to the future. Next questions may appear in this weblog.

  Delton Krueger 9-6-17

Mental Health Serivice in Minnesota

Mental Health Services history in MN – 9-5-17

10 of the 11 state large Mental Hospitals are now closed. For the sake of history here is a list that I have discovered.

1. Fergus Falls State Hospital  1890-2004

2. Faribault State School and Hospital  1879-1998

3. Hastings State Hospital  1900-1979

4. Cambridge State Hospital  1925-1997

5. Moose Lake State Hospital  1938-1951 Correctional site now

6. Braham Riverwood Center – 1966-2014

7. Rochester State Hospital – 1879-1982

8. Willmar State Hospital – 1912-2008

9. Brainerd State Hospital – 1958 – now a Psychiatric Hospital

10. Anoka State Asylum – 1900 – now a Treatment Center

11. St. Peter State Psychiatric Hospital 1866 -  

Several smaller treatment centers are available in the metropolitan area and scattered around the state.

 The impression is that in rural areas it depends on medical clinics and on more informal efforts by churches, clergy and other non profits. 

This information may be flawed. From my pastoral work throughout the state I have learned that alcohol, drugs and disorderly habits take their toll. 

Delton Krueger

WORK on Labor Day 2017

Work   - A Labor Day conversation with Delton Krueger 9-4-17

I am a Consultant in Issues of Aging.  Eighty nine years of Life Experience and Education starting with First Grade in a one room rural school have qualified me. Life Long Learning is my field of study. I choose to name myself as a Consultant. 

 Why should a person even think about Work in the advanced years of life? All have experiences that qualify us to contribute back to the human family. 

In conversation with friends and others we contribute to those facing the same issues that we have known so well. Aging often raises up fears in younger people. You may doubt this but I know of many younger people who are ready to relate with and learn from older persons. Learning how to talk together can be hard. I believe that with patience we can learn the art of conversation even with generational differences. 

We who have learned from our own mistakes and right choices have chances to share with others who are often eager to speak with someone else who has walked the same road. Simply listening to individuals may well permit courage to happen in them. They will feel better for having been in a conversation with you. Stronger.  Not alone. 

Why do people pay money to go to counselors? Often to get professional expert answers. And to have someone who will listen and not be judgmental.  

I am suggesting that sincere conversation is a form of work. It takes energy, time, attention, listening and thinking.  This is an investment in the human family and in ourselves.