NORWICH – Of all the facts and details presented to lawmakers this month about treating the mentally ill and alcohol and drug addicts in Chenango County last year, only one deserved top billing, according to Town of Pharsalia Supervisor Dennis Brown.

“Did you get that ... the most important statement she said?” he noted, referring to a part of Mental Hygiene Services Director Ruth Roberts’ annual report to the board.

“She said the only way to combat the growing numbers requiring treatment is to work on growing a solid economy.”

Brown later said he found the county’s new department director’s statement “refreshing.”

“I’ve never heard anybody who’s in the social services sector actually recognize publicly that a strong economic base is a key ingredient to the social health of a community,” he explained.

In her report, one in which she pointed out that 52 percent of the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services clients seen in 2010 also had mental health disorders, Roberts said unemployment is “really catching up with individuals and families.”

“The level of complexity is increasing. People are broken and require intervention like we’ve never seen before. There is a morass of difficulties in their lives. Most outside of the realm of what mental health and alcohol and drug services can help with. ... It’s sobering, the problems. The answer is to work on growing a solid economy,” she said.

Chenango County’s Mental Hygiene Services department is the primary resource for individuals who are currently experiencing a serious mental or emotional challenge, and for identifying individuals who are at risk of developing major mental health problems. During 2010, the Harry Stack Sullivan Mental Health Clinic served 2,089 individuals and documented a total of 24,864 visits in the outpatient clinic settings.