Piatt County voters will see question about funding for mental health services

MONTICELLO Ill. (WAND) — Piatt County voters will not just see presidential candidates and state house races on the November ballot, they will also see a referendum for mental health funding.

The question is a proposition to levy a tax for the purpose of funding mental health facilities and services. According to the Piatt County Mental Health Center, the small property tax increase will help establish a Community 708 Mental Health Board.

"Support of this will continue to provide sustainability for services because access to treatment here in Piatt County is extremely limited," said Tony Kirkman, Executive Director of the Piatt County Mental Health Center.

According to Kirkman most east-central Illinois counties, with the exceptions of Piatt and Douglas, already have a 708 board established.

The board would serve all Piatt County residents and help provide equal access to high-quality, comprehensive care for people affected by mental illness, addiction, or developmental disabilities. Kirkman said the board will help grow the services already in place.

"In Piatt County, we have roughly 16,000 individuals and we only have about 8 or 9 licensed professionals in the county. So, for many, many years, there was a treatment shortage and we're now trying to protect what we already have here in place."

The board will also help with allocating funds to organizations and agencies focused on addressing mental health, addiction, and developmental disabilities.

"Piatt County is an amazing place to live," said Kirkman. "One of the reasons why it's a great place to live is because we take care of our neighbors, and we are caring and compassionate. A vote for 708 referendum is just an exhibited behavior of that, of we're not going to allow our under-resourced community to have limited access."

For more information and to read letters from supporters of the referendum, click here.