A need in walla walla

Walla walla is a fast growing city. In April of 2000 to July 1st, 2006 the population grew 4.6% and it is estimated that 57,721 people live here now. Out of those people a little over 10,000 are 45 and older. With all those people that are moving here the majority is people in 25 and older. In about thirty years there will be a huge crises if there is only one psychiatrist in the area and trying to help all the people that need mental help. Walla Walla has seen a influx of people because of the vineyards and people like the fact that it is said to be the next "Napa Valley". Not only does this city have 3 different colleges, but it is a good place for people to come and retire too. I talked to a M.S.W. worker who works at a local retirement center and she said that the biggest need for the elderly, is mental health services. Right now there is only one psychiatrist in the county and he/she usually only works with children, juveniles. So there is a lack of providers for the elderly and especially one that have dementia type diagnosis because the theory is that they wont retain what they get in counseling. There are such places for elderly to get some help, like Odd Fellows retirement center, Regency, and Park Manner. These places have nurses and social workers that are employees and most are very busy. There are a lot of people that need help that can not move around on their own and there isn't any mental health professional in the area that will go to these places or to the homes of people that need help. In addition the mental help professionals don't work with people that are getting help from the state or Government, they mostly and prefer that their clients are private users. The reason for this problem is because St. Marys did have 4 Psychiatric units and close all of them. Since then the contract for psych patients have changed every year so there hasn't been in continuity. Another problem with this system is that in order for the patients to get the mental help they need it first has to go through a crises team from the community and 9 out of 10 don't meet their criteria.