Editorial -- Sad Story from 1907 Shows Need for Mental Health Funding

Recently, the Maryville Forum reported that the newly formed Northwest Missouri Mental Health Task Force conducted its first meeting recently. The formation of this group was none too soon. For far too long, there has been little or no help for people with mental health issues as well as their loved ones. The following sad story from the October 3rd, 1907 Worth County Times, from when there were even fewer resources than now, is a perfect example of what people and communities had to go through:

Didn’t Wait to Be Examined

Wednesday of last week, Emanuel Roach was brought over from the north part of Smith (Allendale) township for the purpose of having the county court pass on his case. People living in the vicinity of the Roach family did not think Emanuel a safe person to go unrestrained.

While not exactly crazy, he is of simply mind and many believe that under circumstances, he might do bodily harm. It is alleged that he has a penchant for taking things that do not belong to him. 

He was in custody of the sheriff and agreed to remain until last Monday, when county court would meet to pass on him. Court met, but Roach was not to be found. His father was here Monday and his son was of age. The boy is to be pitied, but he has had little chance in life and very little hope of ever making anything of himself.

We hope that our new elected officials, State Reps Mazzie Boyd (District 2) and Jeff Farnan (District 1) and State Senator Rusty Black will do all they can to steer money to the area so that increased services and resources are provided to people in need. It has been something that has been swept under the rug for far too long.

Editorial -- Northwest Missouri Mental Health Task Force a Step Long Overdue

On Friday, four different counties, Worth, Nodaway, Gentry, and Holt Counties signed an agreement to form a mental health task force for the area. This is a step that was long overdue.

We have noticed a pattern in going over the court cases. Frequently, it is the same people getting in trouble over and over again. We don’t know everyone’s circumstances, but if one person a year is saved from a vicious cycle where they are brought into court time and time again, and they can’t drive and can’t find work, then it would be worth it. Back in our Northwest days, we know people personally that the system at the time failed. If one person a year is saved from getting kicked out of school or being forced to give up their dreams, it would be worth it.

The problem is that for years, there has been too much of a stigma in talking about mental health. We all have a breaking point. We all have to recognize it and how to stay away. Our system has to provide people with the resources they need to stay away from our breaking points. 

One of the first things we learned about grant funding when we started doing the paper is that groups of people are more likely to get grant funding than a single entity. Doing it this way will mean that the area as a whole will be more likely to get resources than if Worth County and each of the other three counties involved had gone it alone.