To the editor:

I was appalled when I read an article in Sunday’s paper concerning a mother who had lost her daughter to suicide. The mother told what she endured while trying to get help for her daughter who was seriously depressed and very suicidal. I was angered that there was no help in this city for the young woman. A person in a crisis such as this cannot wait for tomorrow. In this case, there was no tomorrow for this young lady.

When is this city going to open its eyes to the serious lack of assistance for the mentally ill? How many more people must lose their lives because there is no help? It pains me when I think of all those here in Lawrence who are seriously mentally ill. This situation must be solved by the city before more lose their lives. Many in the population of Lawrence will have to deal with the mental illness of a loved one. Hopefully, a system will be put in place that does not require driving miles. If not, more lives may be lost to this serious illness.

Cheryl A. Mark,

Lawrence