Regarding the debate about whether the Springfield City Council should allow an annexation of land to build a regional behavioral health stabilization center, I want to encourage the council to approve it.

I strongly advocate for mental healthcare. I’ve dealt with mental health issues for as long as I can remember. I can remember watching a film in class when I was very young about insane asylums and lobotomies. What I saw made me afraid I might end up at one. Mental healthcare shouldn’t be scary, nor should it be unattainable for anyone.

It’s important that we have accessible, compassionate care in our community.

Gina Valentino 
Eugene