Dione’s Letter to the Editor: The News-Herald
Dear Editor,
As a community, we must ensure that every resident in Lake County has access to the care and support they need to live healthy and productive lives. That’s why I urge everyone to vote YES on Issue 10, which is on the ballot as a RENEWAL to support the Lake County ADAMHS Board. This renewal is the same funding approved in 1976 for these services.
This issue is deeply personal to me. I have seen firsthand how the work of the ADAMHS Board can save and improve lives. People I care about have been helped through the programs and services supported by this network. It is not an exaggeration that services provided by the Lake County ADAMHS Board’s system of care saved my son’s life. When our family needed help we were able to quickly accesses the resources he required. As a mother I would go to the ends of the earth to get my kids what they need to be safe and healthy, but luckily thanks to the ADAMHS board we had what we needed right here.
The ADAMHS Board invests in a coordinated network of 16 funded partners who deliver critical, life-saving services. This network includes suicide prevention, crisis intervention, counseling, drug addiction treatment programs and ongoing support for individuals and their families. By funding local agencies and providers, the ADAMHS Board ensures that everyone in our community has access to the right care at the right time, regardless of their financial situation or ability to pay.
Mental health challenges and drug addiction disorders can affect anyone, regardless of age, race, gender, or socioeconomic status. When you or a loved one is in need of these services, it can be immediate, when this happens you quickly realize how vital it is to have a responsive and well-coordinated system of care. The work of the ADAMHS Board also helps individuals and families regain stability and hope while staying in our community instead of traveling out of the area.
A YES vote on Issue 10 is an investment in this network of care. It ensures that their 16 funded partners, who are already doing tremendous work, have the resources they need to continue providing high-quality, timely services to those in need. It’s a vote to keep our community safe, healthy, and resilient.
I strongly encourage all Lake County residents to vote YES on Issue 10 to support the ADAMHS Board and the essential services they have established for our community. Together, we can make a meaningful impact on the mental health and well-being of all our beloved neighbors.
Sincerely,
Dione DeMitro