There are a number of issues that legislators in Iowa are facing this year — budget concerns, taxes, school funding, the ongoing concerns over the privatization of Medicaid, water quality — the list goes on.

But a recent Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll notes that mental health, and how the state delivers mental health care to its citizens, is at the top of the list.

Nearly two-thirds of Iowans (64 percent) disapprove of how the state treats and cares for those who have mental health issues.

It’s a concern that local law enforcement faces every day.

Ask Marshall County Chief Jailer Pat White. With a daily population of roughly 160 inmates incarcerated on any given day in the Marshall County Jail, White conservatively estimates that one-fourth of those behind bars probably should not be there because they need qualified mental health treatment. And state officials have suggested that at least one-third of Iowa’s prison inmates have severe mental health issues.

“With the closing of the mental health centers, it hasn’t gotten any better,” White added.

Jails and prisons, along with sheriff’s deputies and police officers, hospitals and even school districts, have become de facto mental health care providers.

That clearly is not working.

Without the resources or, more importantly, the training, law enforcement and others cannot and should not be the option for those who need specialized treatment.

“Currently, individuals who are committed are being placed in the highest-cost level of care: hospitals, jails or prisons,” said Susan Cameron Daemen, a lobbyist for the Iowa State Sheriffs’ and Deputies’ Association (ISSDA), during an interview with Radio Iowa. “Iowa may have enough acute mental health care beds, but we don’t have the right types of treatment programs in all parts of the state.”

Without sustained treatment, many patients make return visits to jail — a “revolving door,” said White.

But a proposal from the ISSDA could be the start of something better — they are asking legislators to create six regional “triage” centers for people who are having a mental health or addiction crisis.

“ISSDA proposes establishment of six crisis stabilization centers, kind of like triage centers, in Iowa where individuals who are committed voluntarily or involuntarily or who need immediate mental health or substance abuse services can go to be assessed for the right type of treatment in the correct setting,” said Cameron Daemen.

This is just one idea, but we can no longer kick the can down the road on this issue. We need substantive ideas and implementation of policies that treats people with mental health issues with dignity and compassion, while alleviating the burden on law enforcement, hospitals and schools.

The argument against doing anything, of course, is generally financial. But consider the cost mental health care has on society — those struggling too often turn to drugs, commit crimes and become a danger to themselves and those around them.

Improving the state’s mental health care system and getting mentally ill Iowans appropriate care before they commit a crime is “less costly to the taxpayers,” said Cameron Daemen.

It’s 2018. It’s time for something better.

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Contact T-R Editor Jeff Hutton at 641-753-6611 or jhutton@timesrepublican.com