Big win for local mental health

Saving lives and saving money.

The deposit on that combo made Monday a very nice day.

News that Coeur d'Alene will be home to Idaho's second state-funded mental health crisis center sent immediate positive ripples throughout the community. It's a harbinger for much good that this facility will do in the years ahead.

Few citizens like to acknowledge the devastating relationship between mental and behavioral health problems and substance abuse. Fewer still want to do anything about it. But thanks to Rep. Luke Malek - the bill's floor sponsor and legislative champion - and a whole host of supportive professionals ranging from Sheriff Ben Wolfinger and Kootenai Health CEO Jon Ness to members of the executive board of the Region 1 Mental Health Board and Regional Advisory Council on Substance Abuse, ground will soon be broken in Coeur d'Alene for a local facility.

A year ago, even though Kootenai County showed the greatest need, our region was passed over because of a lack of local legislative support. This year, representatives Kathy Sims, Ron Mendive and Vito Barbieri opposed the project. But other Kootenai County Republicans including senators Bob Nonini, Mary Souza and Steve Vick, and representatives Malek, Don Cheatham and Eric Redman, all pushed for passage of the House bill that authorized a mental health crisis center in North Idaho.

While we congratulate all those who have worked so hard for more than a year to make this happen, it's important to realize that as of Tuesday, no formal agreement had been signed. While the green light is bright, traffic can't proceed until Health and Welfare and local officials sign and seal the deal.

We also acknowledge that the state funding is only one big step in the right direction. Various agencies, individuals and organizations need to work together and show what teamwork can accomplish when we all have a worthy mutual goal.

But as local people have proven time and time again - for a sampling of evidence, look at the Kroc Community Center, McEuen Park, Coeur d'Alene's anti-discrimination ordinance, and a long string of successful public safety and education bonds and levies - no challenge is too great when the public benefit is so strong.

Let's hope that none of you reading this editorial will ever need the local mental health crisis center. Let's be grateful, though, that if you do, it will be here for you.

An extra note

of thanks

Region 2 could have engaged in political arm-wrestling over who gets the state's second center. Instead, Lewiston not only didn't fight, but joined Coeur d'Alene in its bid.

According to Ross Edmunds, administrator for the Division of Behavioral Health, the Region 2 Mental Health Board sent a letter to Edmunds' office and to the mental health board in Coeur d'Alene, saying it supported locating the center in Region 1.

Your magnanimity is greatly appreciated, Region 2.