Cape Cod delegates oppose proposed closure of Pocasset psychiatric unit, urge state to reverse cuts

The Cape Cod Regional Government Assembly of Delegates voted Feb. 5 to oppose a proposed closure of the Pocasset Mental Health Center and steep reductions in Department of Mental Health (DMH) caseworkers, following extensive public testimony from clinicians, family members and first responders.

The resolution, introduced by Deputy Speaker Gessen and co-sponsored by multiple delegates, calls on Governor Maura Healey and the secretary of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to reverse the proposed cuts and urges the Cape Cod legislative delegation to support the county’s request. The assembly voted in favor (roll call recorded in the meeting transcript as affirmative votes by the delegates present); the adopted resolution was amended to add the Cape Cod delegation as recipients of the county’s letter to the governor and state officials.

Why it matters: Speakers said the closure would remove the only state-operated inpatient psychiatric facility serving Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket and would occur as DMH proposes to cut front-line caseworkers. Witnesses argued the changes would force more people into emergency…