State psychiatric care struggling

State psychiatric hospitals are struggling to provide services to needy patients. Gwen Skinner, director of the state’s mental health division, blamed the situation on chronic deficits and staff shortages. She said at seven state-run hospitals, nearly 40 percent of nurse positions were vacant in September while patient occupancy rates exceeded capacity.

Hospital danger for young mentally ill

Young mentally ill children in Georgia psychiatric hosptials are often in the same housing as teens charged with dangerous crimes--that according to state officials. Regulators from the Department of Human Resources wrote seven years ago of concern for small and powerless children who could not defend themselves in the state hospitals.

Regulators investigated complaints from two adolescent patients who said they were attacked by other teens at Central State Hospital. Reports say that violent teens with criminal records in overcrowded conditions and with a lack of staffing, leads to an atmosphere of fighting and sexual assaults.

State officials say they have taken steps to separate patients by age groups, but more needs to be done.