Three people on your Shasta County Board of Supervisors made a decision for us all and voted on Friday, October 24th 2025 to deny $200 million potential dollars to help address our serious mental health issue in this county.
After nearly a year of hard work and 50 letters of support from medical professionals and neighboring counties the three members, led by supervisor Kevin Crye, said, “No.”
The $200 Million would go to a mental health facility called True North. County money would NOT be used to construct or operate the facility. The county might contribute some staff time to administration but the facility and its operation would be solely the responsibility of the private company, Signature Healthcare.
We are appalled by the decision made by Kevin Crye, Chris Kelstrom and Corky Harmon. It deprives this county of badly needed help with a serious and growing crisis. It is also the last best chance in the foreseeable future for us to access $200 M in critical funding.
All of us know that we have a terrible problem with mental health. Thousands of families are suffering. How could we abandon this incredible opportunity?
1. Shasta County has the highest suicide rate in California
2. We have a higher-than-average incidence of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) that often lead to mental health challenges
3. Our drug overdose rate is 20 points above the state average (due in part to untreated mental illness being self-medicated
4. All zip codes with the county are considered a mental health shortage area
We will gather Tuesday at 4:30 at the county Administration Building at 1450 Court Street to make it clear that this board trio did not have the vision, compassion or wisdom to support this worthy project but we do. Hundreds of us. We are sending this letter of support to True North to add community backing to this worthy project. We support assistance for mental health.
Shasta Coalition and Save Our Shasta
