KCBS, MHASF Responds to a Proposed 75% Cut in Funding for Warm Line

Transcript:

(Brett Burkhart, KCBS)

It's known as the California Peer Run Warm Line.

(Mark Salazar, MHASF)

It's really preventative care and support versus a hotline where it's acute in crisis.

(Brett Burkhart, KCBS)

And the help on the other end of the line can relate.

(Mark Salazar, MHASF)

They are individuals who have actually gone through the same situation, the same emotions.

(Brett Burkhart, KCBS)

Mark Salazar is the CEO of the Mental Health Association of San Francisco, which runs the California Peer Run Warm Line. Or just two months ago,

(Mark Salazar, MHASF)

It got about 40,000 calls.

(Brett Burkhart, KCBS)

And he says it will become increasingly difficult to meet that demand as the state tries to address a $12 billion deficit with proposed cuts, state worker pay freezes, and the warm line is among the potential cuts

(Mark Salazar, MHASF)

We need to operate at a 15 or $20 million level. And then the revise came out as $5 million.

(Brett Burkhart, KCBS)

A proposed 75% cut in funding. So Salazar is leaning on lawmakers who will have the final say in the coming weeks.

(Mark Salazar, MHASF)

Our Hail Mary is a website: savethewarmline.org, and we're trying to get a grassroots campaign going. KCBS has reached out to the governor's office and is awaiting a response. Brett Burkhart, KCBS.