HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/2/2005 - STAFF REPORTS (16) RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PALM SPRINGS EXPRESSING SERIOUS CONCERN
OVER THE LACK OF PROPER FACILITIES TO TREAT
THE MENTALLY ILL IN THE COACHELLA VALLEY AND
STRONGLY URGING TENET HEALTHCARE
CORPORATION TO REOPEN THE PSYCHIATRIC UNIT
AT DESERT REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER UNTIL
ADDITIONAL MENTAL HEALTH FACILTIES CAN BE
DEVELOPED
WHEREAS, mental illness is the second leading cause of disability and
premature mortality in the United States and mental disorders account for more
than 15 percent of the overall burden of disease from all causes; and
WHEREAS according to the American Psychiatric Association, during any one-
year period, more than 22% of Americans suffer from a clearly diagnosable
mental disorder which interferes with employment, school attendance, or daily
life; and
WHEREAS mental illness results in lost employment, reduced productivity,
criminal activity, and vehicular accidents; and
WHEREAS there is a strong correlation between mental illness and
homelessness, with approximately 20 to 25 percent of the single adult homeless
population suffering from some form of severe and persistent mental illness; and
WHEREAS, people from all social classes and backgrounds experience mental
disorders and behavioral health problems, there are racial, geographic, and
gender disparities that persist in the availability and accessibility of services, and
the system remains unable to fully respond to treatment and prevention because
of a lack of resources; and
WHEREAS, studies and data prove that treatment facilities for the mentally ill is
effective in reducing incidents of hospitalization, homelessness, arrests and
incarcerations, victimization, and violent episodes; and
WHEREAS, Tenet Healthcare Corporation, which operates Desert Regional
Medical Center, has decided to close its 27-bed psychiatric unit; and
WHEREAS, Tenet's decision to close the psychiatric unit at Desert Regional
Medical Center leaves only one other psychiatric facility in the Coachella Valley
which is often full and cannot take patients who also require medical care; and
Item No. 2 . L.
WHEREAS, the lack of proper mental-health facilities within the Coachella Valley
could lead to increased risk of arrests, suicide, homelessness, worsening
symptoms, victimization and violence who suffer from mental illness; and
WHEREAS, an increase in criminal activities among people with severe mental
illnesses, and managing individuals with mental illness in jails will further strain
law enforcement resources; and
WHEREAS, additional mental-health facilities are urgently needed to replace the
loss of the psychiatric unit,at Desert Regional Medical Center; and
WHEREAS, Riverside County is working to develop additional mental-health
facilities in the Coachella Valley, but these facilities may be several years away.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Palm
Springs, California, is seriously concerned over the lack of adequate facilities to
treat the mentally ill in the Coachella Valley and its adverse impact on public
services, especially law enforcement.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council strongly urges Tenet
Healthcare Corporation to reopen the psychiatric unit at Desert Regional Medical
Center until additional mental-health facilities can be developed.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of
Palm Springs held November 2, 2005.
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
Ron Oden
Mayor
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
James Thompson Doug Holland
City Clerk City Attorney