Johnson County Confronts Worsening Mental Health Crisis Amid Government Shutdown

Respectfully and with a great deal of empathy . . . We nixed the first post headline option: 

GUV SHUTDOWN GETS GOLDEN GHETTO NERVOUS!!!

The reality is that we're seeing harsh times from the poorest to the middle-class throughout the metro as our cowtown is on the front lines of the shut down debate and partisan spin hasn't really helped local families struggling.  

Either way, here's medical expert testimony . . .  

The Johnson County Mental Health Center provides counseling, substance use treatment, psychiatric medication and other services. It also runs a 988 suicide hotline, and is anticipating a 14% rise in calls to that number and its local crisis line by the end of the year . . . 

Director Tim DeWeese, says the federal shutdown is stressing out the center’s clientele and staff, and putting a strain on resources.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

KCUR: Shutdown consequences reach into Johnson County