People with mental illnesses in Massachusetts protest cuts to services

From The Boston Herald:

Disabled Bay State residents may now face even more cuts to the services they urgently need, advocates said.

As Gov. Deval Patrick prepares to narrow the $600 million budget shortfall, mentally ill residents and their advocates say they are bracing for slow processing of disability claims, as well as cuts that could eliminate services.

About 800 mental health advocates and mentally ill adults gathered in front of the State House Oct. 27, demanding the governor’s support to keep their clubhouses - facilities that provide job training, education and employment.

There are 32 Massachusetts clubhouse facilities across the state, which serve 15,000 adults.

The cuts come as the governor also looks at furloughs for employees at Massachusetts Disability Determination Services, a move that could stall processing for disability claims - worsening the services they provide - even as increasing numbers of people file for their Social Security disability payments.

David Beckwith, a member of Forum House in Westfield, has been receiving Social Security for disability for nearly 20 years.

“Usually when people apply for disability, they need that money right away. They have nothing else going for them,” said Beckwith about alternative income for the disabled, at yesterday’s rally.

Amos Pierre, a member of Boston’s 50-year-old Center Club, carried a sign that read “Save clubhouses” at the protest.

“These people need that money. We need help and support,” said the South Boston resident. Before going to the clubhouse, Pierre “was depressed and sick,” he said, “but I’ve made progress. My life’s been turned around.”

Patrick administration spokeswoman Cyndi Roy, said the governor’s office was hoping for “limited impact” on all social services.

The Herald reported Oct. 26 that the Massachusetts Clubhouse Coalition, which organized the rally, feared that budget cuts could close down the clubhouses as early as next month, cutting off the lifeline for many of the state’s mentally ill residents.