Letter: Mental health system needs to change by Steven Smith

Editor:

I am writing about my own experience with our mental health system here in Oneida County.

Don’t trust our mental health system. It is so broken, I believe it is going to take a long time to fix it, but I am making my plea to the citizens of Oneida County to try and fix it.

I am currently in the Trempealeau County health care system. I went into the hospital having trouble with my diabetes. I was taking my prescribed amount of insulin. They said I was overdosing on it and sent me to an institution. I am functioning, barely, on a lower amount.

I have to do all kinds of programming–what for, I don’t know. I am thoroughly exhausted in the morning and afternoon now. I won’t get out until I attend these “programming” events. I have not been outside in two months and can’t exercise.
Bottom line here, I do not need to be here as I am not suicidal or a threat to others. I am taking up a valuable spot for someone who truly needs help. Tax dollars are being spent on me needlessly. Something needs to be done with our mental health system.

I hope the citizens of Oneida County make phone calls to change it now.

Steven S. Smith Sr., Rhinelander