Unprecedented Public Outcry as Barnstable County Assembly Unanimously Opposes Pocasset Closure and Mental Health Cuts
Over 50 Residents, Advocates, and Officials Rally to Save Critical Mental Health Services on Cape Cod
February 6, 2025 (Barnstable, MA) – In an extraordinary showing of public concern, more than 50 people attended the Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates hearing—over a dozen attending in person and more than 40 joining virtually—to voice their opposition to the proposed closure of Pocasset Mental Health Center (PMHC) and drastic cuts to Department of Mental Health (DMH) caseworkers. Following powerful testimony from families, caseworkers, and public officials, the Assembly voted unanimously to approve a resolution calling on the Governor to reverse her proposed cuts.
PMHC is the only state-run inpatient psychiatric facility serving Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket, and its closure would leave the region without vital mental health stabilization services. Advocates warned of dire consequences, with Sheriff Donna Buckley stating, “The overall loss of mental healthcare on Cape Cod will put more people in emergency rooms, police cruisers, and in jails. These proposals won’t save money, but they will exact a human toll.”
For families struggling with Massachusetts’ failing mental health system, these cuts would be catastrophic. Laura Craciun, a mother of a son suffering from acute psychosis, warned, “There are thousands of other families like me in Massachusetts, too broken to speak to you at these meetings. We’re barely making it. To cut the services, I believe we are going to see more cases like my son.”
Testimony painted a stark picture of the devastation these cuts would cause. Paul Hardigan, Cape Cod’s only case manager for children, explained, “If any of your children have an incident on the Cape and are deemed to require a hospital level of care, there is nowhere for them to go.” Jean Calvert McClure, a DMH worker, added, “Case management is literally the backbone of our mental health treatment. Without them, our clients wouldn’t survive.”
The resolution, introduced by Deputy Speaker Dan Gessen of Falmouth, seeks to send a clear message to state leadership. “These cuts will have devastating consequences on Cape Cod and the Islands,” said Gessen. “We simply can’t balance the books on the backs of the vulnerable in our community.”
“It’s a priority for the Assembly to provide a forum for regional topics,” said Assembly Speaker Randi Potash of Chatham. “We can create a space for those affected by these cuts to tell their stories.”
The loss of caseworkers was another central concern. Rachael Courington, a Hyannis DMH caseworker, choked back tears as she described delivering holiday meals to clients, many of whom have no family. “These meals are often the only contact they’ll receive during that period. Our clients are asking in June, ‘Are there going to be meals this year?'”
The Assembly’s unanimous vote underscores Cape Cod residents’ firm belief that mental health services require more significant investment, not reductions. As Frank Frederickson, Delegate from Barnstable, put it: “We are in crisis management mode. And now we’re making it worse.”
“Having been in public safety for many years, I can tell you that you only heard the tip of the iceberg today.” said Delegate Wayne Sampson of Bourne.
Despite the overwhelming distress, those in attendance said they would not back down. As Karen Curtis, a mother from Harwich with a son diagnosed with schizoaffective psychosis, declared: “We’re not going to stand for this. I will do anything. We can’t think like it’s going to happen.”
ABOUT THE ASSEMBLY OF DELEGATES The Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates is the legislative branch of Cape Cod Regional Government. Fifteen Delegates, one elected by each town, enact ordinances and appropriate the County’s annual operating and capital budgets.
ABOUT BARNSTABLE COUNTY REGIONAL GOVERNMENT OF CAPE COD Barnstable County provides exemplary government functions and services to keep our community healthy and safe, promote sustainable growth, and offer a proactive, open government that enhances the quality of life for the citizens of Barnstable County. Learn more at www.capecod.gov
MEDIA CONTACT: Owen Fletcher, Assembly Clerk/Legislative Director | owen.fletcher@capecod.gov |508-375-6761
