After weeks of speculation over its fate, things seem to be looking up for Upper Shore Community Mental Health Center.
The state’s Board of Public Works voted unanimously in August to close the center. But on Monday, Comptroller Peter Franchot, one of the original three to say the center should close its doors, showed the strongest evidence yet of reversing his decision.
According to the Chestertown Spy, after visiting and touring the center, Francho told demonstrators waiting outside on Scheeler Road, “I’ll fight very hard for you.”
At Washington College, members of the Psychology Club and students in the Community Psychology class are fighting hard too.
“We’ve decided to join up with Chestertown to help save Upper Shore,” said junior Johanna McCormick.
“Ribbons have been passed out within the psych department for people to wear and remind everyone what’s going on,” said McCormick.
So far 100 ribbons have been distributed on campus, McCormick said.
The two groups are also working on setting up tables in the new dining hall and hope to screen “Thank You Governor O’Malley” in the new performance theater. The documentary shows the Governor touring USCMHC and is posted on YouTube as well as on USCMHC’s Facebook fan site.
She added that the Community Psychology class will be at the Farmer’s Market this Saturday to raise awareness and will be screening the documentary there as well.
McCormick also said members of the Psychology Club and students from the Community Psychology class are going to Annapolis on Nov. 4 where the final decision on USCMHC is going to be made.
However, she stressed that the trip is not just for the Psychology Club and students from Community Psychology, any one can go and, “the more support the better.”
But why go to all this effort to save something that doesn’t really impact students?
McCormick said if USCMHC did close, it would effect students.
“Our internships will become more and more limited. We don’t live in a large metropolitan area. This is one of few opportunities to experience things first hand. It would be a shame to lose that experience,” said McCormick.
McCormick also stated that closing the center would result in a huge amount of human suffering that students should care about. Not only would many jobs be lost, but the people who need the center would lose it as a resource. With no adequate resources nearby, these patients may also have to move away from the community.
“How are these people supposed to see their families?” McCormick asked. “Without family support, [these patients] could possibly lose the chance to be integrated back into the community.”
Local resident Margaret Fallaw agreed with McCormick. Fallaw has had a family member treated at USCMHC. She predicted dire consequences for the patients currently treated at USCMHC if the center is closed.
“I think there are going to be people in dire straights that are going to be trying to function in the community before they’re ready. Where they could end up is 60, 80 miles from home with no community connection whatsoever,” said Fallaw.
Although Franchot seems to be having a change of heart, it will still take one more member of the Board of Public Works to reverse their decision before USCMHC can be saved.
McCormick hopes that more students at WC will take interest in the issue and campaign to save the center.
“Hopefully the campus will realize we are part of a larger community and get involved,” she said.
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