ITHACA, NY (WSKG) - A Yates county school superintendent says the mental health problems they are facing are a community issue not just one for the schools.
Dundee school superintendent Kelly Houck called the mental health problem she see's in her community, a crisis, months ago. She said the county needs accessible services for children younger than 13 including those five and under.
On Monday, Houck said "Yates County needs to have their own mental health department slash clinic just like several other surrounding counties do."
She spoke during a roundtable discussion in Penn Yann. Rep. Tom Reed (R-Corning), state senator Tom O'Mara (R,C,I-Elmira) and Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning), along with other regional school and mental health officials also attended.
Wednesday, Yates County will have their second meeting with the New York State Office of Mental Health to create a plan to get people connected to the help they need.