By KALEY CONNER

kconner@dailynews.net

As the Kansas government continues efforts to balance the state budget, advocates said mental health services already have taken a considerable hit.

Those funding concerns will be discussed at an open forum at 7 p.m. Monday in the trails room of Fort Hays State University's Memorial Union. State Sen. Janis Lee, D-Kensington, and representatives Eber Phelps, D-Hays, and Dan Johnson, R-Hays, will attend the event.

The forum will be hosted by the Hays chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, a support group for consumers receiving mental health care and their families.

"What we hope is the legislators will do some kind of magic," said Tom Pitner, a member of the local group. "And see what they can do about additional funding, or how they think the funding processes are going to work, and what their outlook is for the coming legislative session and how that might affect us."

The local group has had annual meetings with the state legislators in years past but wanted a public forum this year in light of the economic situation, Pitner said.

NAMI has 14 local chapters throughout the state. The Hays group is the only one in western Kansas, but it's hoped more soon will be added, said Rick Cagan, executive director of NAMI Kansas.

The state's community mental health system has lost 52 percent of its state general fund dollars in the last three budget years, Cagan said. Mental health advocates are concerned the lack of funding could make it more difficult for some Kansans to obtain the care they need.

"Whether you've got money or insurance -- or not -- the expectation is community mental health centers will take care of you if you present some symptoms of mental illness," Cagan said. "State general fund dollars is what makes that possible."