Your series about mental health reform has been both enlightening and distressingly accurate. As a retired local psychiatrist with over 50 years of experience in the mental health field, I have seen this state go through many changes in the way services are provided to the uninsured and underinsured, who include some of the sickest and most difficult to treat patients. I hope people will not lose sight of the fact that hundreds of highly skilled mental health providers, in both the private and public sectors across the state, have dedicated their careers to caring for the mentally ill.

These psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers, nurses, therapists and case managers are well-trained, ethical and experienced. They work in shelters, jails, hospitals, clinics, agencies and private offices. They offer hope and compassion in a respectful and concerned manner. They work long hours for little pay in a profession that is known for burnout but that is also known for giving back much satisfaction and personal reward.

The public should not minimize or demonize these caring, dedicated professionals because of the greed and misdeeds of those who have chosen to capitalize on the state's disorganized attempts to improve our mental health system.

Wilmer C. Betts, M.D.

Retired psychiatrist

Raleigh