Mental health advocates in Colorado petition governor to stop budget cuts to programs

From 9 TV News in Colorado:

DENVER - As the state considers ways to make up for a projected $384 million budget shortfall - supporters of mental health programs have collected 1,200 signatures petitioning Gov. Bill Ritter to spare mental health programs.

August 14, dozens of advocates for people who suffer from mental illness rallied on the west steps of the State Capitol to bring attention to their plight.

They say further cuts to mental health services in Colorado will only cost the state more in the long run.

"We know it cost shifts, when he takes a dollar away from mental health, we know it sends people to more expensive treatment options - jails, emergency rooms, prisons. And it costs a lot more to manage those people in those higher-structured environments," said Lacey Berumen with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in Colorado.

Ritter's spokesman said mental health issues are important to the governor and first lady, but he made no promises - saying many public services will have to be affected because of the magnitude of the shortfall.

The governor is expected to announce which programs will be cut on Tuesday when he presents his proposal to the legislature's Joint Budget Committee.