Mental Health in Westerly - The Lack of It

Mental Health in Westerly has always been a black label, burden, and cross to bear for the parents of children, parents, adults and citizens with Mental Health issues. Through my running for Westerly public office, leading the Local Parent Advisory Committee on Special Education, and my work as the Administrator of one of the most successful Special Education Schools in RI, I have had many experiences with the “Lack Of” many needs to both adults and children of Mental Health in Rhode Island. Westerly, sadly, is one of the worst in my opinion as leaders, both public and private, really want to diminish the need for it as they feel it tarnishes the image of Westerly, as this “pristine shoreline” and “wealthy” community above reproach. What member of the Watch Hill or Weekapaug or Misquamicut Fire Districts wants to hear about mental health? As a matter of fact, when campaigning for office in the past, it is interesting how many on Westerly’s millionaire’s row have children and adults that have or have had special needs. No one wants to be public about it and it is seen as a sad reminder that there is a reality that everyone is affected by mental health. Unfortunately, it affects taxpayers, parents, children, and political supporters’ enthusiasm for treatment.

Just look at the availability of services and you shall see how low on the pecking order it is in importance. Currently, the 2020 U.S. Census says that 9.5% of the Westerly population are listed as having a disability. On top of that there is 5.5% of the Westerly population living in poverty and 27 children and families homeless. So, if we take these numbers against the population of Westerly, 18,423 that means, and you know this is low due to reporting – 1,750 people in Westerly have a disability through the census and that does not take into consideration our children. To that answer – Westerly per the 2022 Kids Count has one of the highest levels of incarcerated parents to children ratio with 4.4%. Through Westerly Hospital BHDDH reports Westerly also maintains an almost 83% filled level of psychiatric stays for mental health (adults and children) for their 17 beds available. The Department of Health reports Westerly EMS deals with over 1,000 mental health emergency calls annually. Do you think these relate to Westerly’s Mental Health, of course they do! Parents having issues, children without parents having issues, and almost 1,000 children are affected. In 2020, per the RI Judiciary Domestic Violence Training and Monitoring Unit there were 148 reported Domestic Violence cases in Westerly which was more than the City of Central Falls. As you know many of these situations are from Mental Health issues.

Sadly, Westerly has no Human Services Director nor Department and has fought against it for years. Westerly residents are relying on Food Pantries, private and church regional support, the Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center, and the Johnny Cake Center. Currently per HealthGrades Westerly shows 61 Social Workers and among those only 10% or 6 of them accept any Medicare or Medicaid insurance which our most impressionable Mental Health population have as their medical coverage.

So I ask you Westerly and for that matter Pawcatuck, do you think we have Mental Health Issues? We definitely do and with our ignorance and our political and private stance in town it will not get better until we do something about it. Remember you PAID for it and your paying every day with the increase in suicide, DUI, arrests, incarcerations as well as children mental health issues. They are not going away!