(MT. VERNON, Ala.) – The Connecticut shooting tragedy is shining new light on the issue of mental illness here in Alabama.
Searcy Hospital closed in Mount Vernon on October 31st.
According to one report, funding for mental health in Alabama has been cut 36% since 2009.
But the governor's office says that report is flawed, and funding for mental health has actually gone up 1.7% over the last three years.
Although state funding is down for that same time period, other funding sources are up.
A state spokesperson says most of the 260 patients at Searcy were transferred to five community health centers like Alta Pointe, and stressed that anyone who needed treatment is receiving treatment.
They say no one was put out on the street.
