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As Community Services Collapse, Experts Say the Mentally Ill are Being Left Behind Bars

The article from the Flathead Beacon discusses the escalating mental health crisis in Flathead County, Montana, where the lack of adequate mental health services has led to increased incarceration rates for individuals with mental illnesses. It highlights that jails have become de facto mental health facilities due to the absence of proper treatment centers, with many inmates suffering from untreated mental health conditions. The piece details the strain on the local jail system, which is ill-equipped to handle mental health care, leading to poor outcomes for inmates and increased costs for the county. It also covers efforts by local advocates and officials to address the issue, including calls for more funding, better facilities, and community-based treatment options to divert mentally ill individuals from the criminal justice system into appropriate care settings.

Read the Full Flathead Beacon Article at:
[ https://flatheadbeacon.com/2024/12/13/mental-health-crisis-montana-flathead-county-incarceration/ ]