Esteemed North Carolina Leaders,
Recently, North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory signed Executive Order No. 76, Governor's Task Force on Mental Health and Substance Use.
I am writing you because you are one of the following: the Governor, a co-chair, or a named member of the task force. I will try to send paper copies to all of you.
First, may I say this is overdue, and I'm glad this was put into effect. I have struggled with mental illness for most of my life. In fact, it has been over 30 years that I was diagnosed. In that time I have seen my state of North Carolina cut funding for mental health and drug abuse. I understand our economy has many pitfalls, but I have never been sure why health of any kind has been a low priority in our state.
I have spent decades trying to get help for my mental illness. Like many, I have had no luck at all. I suffer every day, and I fear I will suffer until my last breath. Like many, I have been prescribed many psychiatric drugs, none of which helped. I have been prescribed these by psychiatrists and general practitioners alike. Like many, my future remains a frightening, ugly concept that burdens me every day of my life.
I am telling you this because the television reporters mentioned that you will present findings in one year. I plead for you to do all you can. Don't take this lightly and do all you can to help those of us in need. All too often, mental illness is overlooked, ignored, or ridiculed. Think of what future you're going to set for us. I beseech you to do all you can but at a quick pace.
For someone who fights mental illness every day, one year seems like an eternity. I fear it will be too late for me. Make sure you do more than you think you can. And then do more.
