Psych treatment that worked

Bronx: Re: “Deborah Danner, schizophrenic Bronx woman killed by NYPD, wrote essay on cops’ inability to deal with mentally ill” (Oct. 20): Danner’s letter should be read to all police officers, and every officer should also receive mental health education. I was the clinical program director of a day treatment program at Morrisania, part of the city public hospital system. It was extremely successful because we followed all of our clients and had the support of family members. We also observed clients taking their medication in front of our head nurse, who also provided education on their medication. Only with success did we allow independent self-medication. We followed up on any absenteeism and, if that failed to bring them in, we did home visits.

Unfortunately, the state Office of Mental Health closed these programs, saying they were too expensive and did not have expected outcomes, which was to put severely and persistently mentally ill people to work. Ridiculous. Staff and patients protested the closings in Albany. I wrote an email to the governor and received a letter back from the OMH commissioner, pointing out that the programs were replaced by other programs that were expected to do the impossible.

I retired in 2010, because though the work’s mission was rewarding I simply burned out fighting a hostile administration every day. I still grapple with guilt in leaving my clients behind. Rosetta Jenkins

Animal spirits

East Hampton, L.I.: “Animals Butcher 284” (Oct. 22) was the headline the Daily News chose to use about the jihadist execution of civilians in northern Iraq. Animals do not kill each other in war; only the human animal would stoop to this kind of mass killing. Using this phrase of humans killing like animals is uneducated. A “grisly murder” is another constantly misused phrase to describe the barbaric nature of a human. Stick to flaunting photographs of celebrities and their children wearing the fur of tortured animals and celebrities wearing almost nothing. Donna Brown

Backwards Blaz

Hackensack, N.J.: Based on the words chosen by Mayor de Blasio, the “Ladders for Leaders” program is a spectacular failure, but my guess is that the mayor just used the wrong syntax (“More soar up internship ladder,” Oct. 24). If, as the mayor is quoted as saying, “The value of this experience cannot be understated,” then he is saying you can’t say enough bad things about the program. I hope that is not what he meant. Richard A. Naumann

Union town

Brooklyn: I’d like to thank John Samuelsen for his informative column (“A union label for Blaz: Ha!” Oct 24). I’ve been a resident of the city for two years and am part of the carpenters union. I wasn’t sure if Wegmans was building nonunion in the city. Being a transplant from Buffalo, I know that Wegmans is a staple in my hometown and Rochester. It’s a great store, but I’ve always frowned upon them using nonunion labor to build their stores. When I heard about the new building in the Navy Yard, I was delighted, but wondered if our politicians would persuade them to build union in a proud union city. From the article, I’m saddened to learn that de Blasio didn’t make the effort. Joe Kirchgraber

Unfair to trades

Brooklyn: Transport Workers Union Local 100 President John Samuelsen’s blunt assessment of the mayor and his lack of support to union causes was long overdue. Improving working conditions in the city does not seem to be a priority for our hipster-courting city leader. Someone need remind him that the backbone of this city was built, and continues to thrive, on union labor. And when he attacks us, he is also attacking middle-class incomes, making it harder to remain in the five boroughs. Hizzoner should wise up, because we have been paying attention. Angelo Cucuzza, TWU New York State Conference chair

Our homeless

East Elmhurst: Having been taken aback by the surge of hostility toward the homeless here in Queens, I am grateful to Win President Christine Quinn for pointing us to “a better way” to respond to the problem of homelessness (“On homelessness, a better way,” Oct. 20). Not only does Quinn put a human face on the problem, she also reminds us addressing it is not an either/or choice between long-term solutions and immediate needs. While it is true that the urgent housing measures currently being taken by the city are not a permanent solution, neither can such a solution be found by expelling the neediest people from our communities or dehumanizing them as unworthy to live in our vicinity. They want the same thing their more affluent neighbors want: fair treatment and a better future for themselves and for their children. Julia Smucker

Hillary’s lies

Tarrytown, N.Y.: Despite what Donald Trump may or may not have said, how did or does that affect the national security of this country — unlike Hillary Clinton’s emailgate, Benghazi lies, fictional Bosnia sniper incident, etc. She is a practiced liar, and it amazes me how some can’t see through her like glass. Carol Culkin

Dollars and senseless

Tulsa, Okla.: I appreciate the Daily News editorial “Crush him on Nov. 8” (Oct. 21) and would like to add two things. One, when driving home his business acumen to the throngs, Donald Trump claims he uses “OPM.” OPM, one asks? He explained, “OPM!!! Other people’s money!” Two, Trump can build his border wall and compare it to China’s Great Wall. That will not stop anyone from crossing into the U.S. without his permission. Trump ignored the well-ventilated and lighted tunnels that rival London’s Tube currently in use between the United States and Mexico. Think El Chapo — remember how he escaped? Joan Gallo

Anarchy in the U.S.

Margate City, N.J.: Trump is bordering on treason. He is subverting our Constitution by maligning democracy. He should be arrested and tried as an anarchist. Anthony Platanella

Remember Beirut’s lost

Staten Island: In the middle of the last few weeks before this presidential election, would you be so kind as to put politics aside and remember my brothers, who more than 30 years ago were killed and wounded during a valiant effort to bring peace to the people of Beirut. The first duty is to remember. Mike Sinclair, member Beirut Veterans of America

Payback time

Manhattan: The Daily News article “10,000 California veterans ordered to pay back enlistment bonuses” (Oct. 22) inspired my mother to create a petition on whitehouse.gov, hoping to take the issue to the President. Sign on at https://wh.gov/iM69a. Alissa Kruidenier

Point of view

Mineola, L.I.: To Voicer Lisa Callahan: Every newspaper I have ever read has a section that is labeled “Opinion.” If you mean the writer’s personal opinions should not be part of a news article he or she writes I agree, but that means by your definition there are very few real newspapers today! Philip Martone

Out of gas

Brooklyn: Basing the Social Security increase of approximately $5 per check on the price of oil is crazy. Most seniors do not drive. They need the increase for doctors, prescriptions, car services and other needs. Food prices have risen to new heights. Rita Nanes

Crossing a line

Bronx: Hopefully, the same morons outraged over Colin Kaepernick peacefully exercising his right to protest are just as angry at all their teammates who are abusing their wives and getting slaps on the wrists for it. Anne Jameson

Anthem on mute

Murphy, N.C.: I have written both the NFL and NCAA suggesting that the national anthem be discontinued before games until this kneeling nonsense runs its course. J.B. Robert

Bad predictions

Brooklyn: The new person who predicts the horoscope is pretty horrible. I don’t know what happened to Jennifer Angel, but this new person reminds me of those fortune-tellers who read your palms for $5 and tell you you’re going to be rich, get married and have kids. Miguel Matos