Agency Head: Close Mount Pleasant Mental Health Center

The Mental Health Institute Friday March 21, 2008 in Mount Pleasant Iowa.

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By Becky Ogann

Story Created: Dec 14, 2009 at 10:04 AM CST

Story Updated: Dec 14, 2009 at 6:23 PM CST

DES MOINES (AP) - The director of the Iowa Department of Human Services is recommending closing the mental health institution in Mount Pleasant and moving all services to an Independence facility.

Charles Krogmeier's recommendation Monday is in response to an order by the Legislature to review the state's four mental health institutions because of declines in populations and changing views on how to treat people with mental illness. Cost is also a factor.

Iowa's other institutions are in Clarinda and Cherokee.

Krogmeier says his recommendation to close the Mount Pleasant institution would cause the least economic fallout for staff and the community. It also would result in the least disruption for families of patients and the most opportunities for improving the mental health system.

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