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 departments, increase law-enforcement responses to mental-health crises and strain family caregivers.

Speakers at the hearing described local impacts and services based at Pocasset. Sheriff Donna Buckley told the assembly: “From my perspective as sheriff, this is a true public safety issue,” adding that reduced mental-health capacity “will put more people in emergency rooms, in police cruisers, and in jails.” Alan Burt, chair of the Cape Cod Islands citizens advisory board for the Department of Mental Health, said the Pocasset facility has 16 beds and that the unit’s beds are “always filled.” Burt told the assembly that the center handles “30 to 50 referrals per week” and that “70 DMH case managers are slated to be cut,” adding that typical DMH caseloads are “between 20 and 25 each.”

DMH staff and current case managers described services beyond short-term inpatient care. Rachel Corrington, an adult case‑management supervisor for DMH in Hyannis, said case managers work “to divert their clients from needing emergency services” and deliver nonclinical supports such as holiday meals and home contacts that can be the only human contact some clients receive. Lisa Foran, who said she is based at Pocasset and employed by DMH on Cape Cod, described community deployments to Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard after local suicide clusters and said loss of Pocasset would remove locally based clinical expertise used across the islands.

Family members gave personal accounts of care at Pocasset. Diane Lawson, who described herself as the mother of an adult son with schizophrenia, said Pocasset’s communication with families and with contracted providers has been essential in her son’s care. Other speakers, including clinical staff and community behavioral‑health leaders, warned that cutting case managers and closing the facility would increase hospital boarding, lengthen discharges and raise costs elsewhere in the system.

The adopted assembly resolution (as read into the record) states that Pocasset “is the only state operated inpatient psychiatric facility serving Cape Cod, providing critical stabilization services,” warns that a 50% reduction in DMH caseworkers “will drastically limit access to care coordination,” and calls on state officials to “reverse these planned cuts” and to involve community stakeholders in any major changes. Delegates amended the resolution to add the Cape Cod legislative delegation as recipients of the county’s letter; the amendment passed and the amended resolution was approved by roll call.

Discussion and next steps: Barnstable County and the Board of County Commissioners indicated they will coordinate with the assembly on a joint letter to the governor. Chair Lyons of the commissioners confirmed participation and said the commissioners would draft a joint letter after receiving the assembly’s resolution. Deputy Speaker Gessen said the assembly will press the county’s legislative delegation and state officials to provide a plan that replaces lost services before the state executes any closures.

Ending: The resolution directs the assembly’s cosponsors and county leaders to draft and send a letter to the governor and the Executive Office of Health and Human Services and to share the assembly’s concerns with the Cape Cod legislative delegation. The assembly’s action follows widespread public testimony and signals the regional government’s intent to press the Commonwealth for alternatives to the proposed changes.