It was nice to read a positive commentary about behavioral health care (“Investing in mental health recovery helps everyone in Baltimore,” Aug. 13).

In 1977 when I started a job with the Mental Heath Association of Maryland, 85% of state mental health dollars were spent on state psychiatric institutions. At the same time, a few pioneers were starting programs similar to B’More Clubhouse in counties across the state, often in church basements. They knew that many men and women with serious mental illnesses didn’t need to waste their lives in back wards and deserved a chance to participate in community life like the rest of us. Some went to Fountain House in New York for training in the clubhouse model. Others consulted with Boston University professor Bill Anthony to learn the basics of psychiatric rehabilitation.

Today, community behavioral health programs support 325,000 Maryland children and adults with mental and emotional illnesses every day. Clubhouse and psychiatric rehabilitation agencies with recovery-oriented values exist in every state in the U.S. So do consumer-run wellness and recovery programs such as those operated by On Our Own of Maryland.

Much is written about the failures of our behavioral health systems. While it is certainly true that far too many people with mental illnesses and addictions are on the streets and in jails and prisons, it is also true that many millions more are receiving effective support in housing, employment and other essential components of community living. Success stories are everywhere and more are possible if public budgets invest in them.

— Herb Cromwell, Catonsville

The writer is a retired executive director of the Community Behavioral Health Association of Maryland.

Add your voice: Respond to this piece or other Sun content by submitting your own letter.