Guest Column: When Behavioral Health Funding Is Cut, the Berkshires Pays the Price

By Diana L. KnaebeCommunity Submission
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The Brien Center is Berkshire County's leading provider of behavioral health services, dedicated to supporting individuals and families facing mental health and addiction challenges. As funding pressures threaten these vital services, we have prepared this op-ed to highlight the urgent need for sustained investment in behavioral health care in our community.
 
We hope this piece will raise awareness and inspire action to ensure that every resident of Berkshire County has access to the care they deserve.
 
In Berkshire County, we pride ourselves on taking care of one another. But this spirit of care is being tested as state and federal funding cuts threaten the services many of our neighbors rely on.
 
Mental health and addiction challenges are not distant issues here — they are part of daily life. In recent years, Berkshire County has seen rising rates of anxiety, depression, and substance use. The Brien Center and other local organizations have stepped up to meet this growing demand, offering crisis intervention, outpatient therapy, and recovery support. But these programs are already stretched thin, and further cuts could push them past their breaking point.
 
When funding disappears, the impact is immediate and devastating. Fewer clinicians mean longer wait times for appointments. Budget shortfalls reduce outreach and prevention programs in schools and communities. Reduced crisis staffing means longer response times when someone is in acute distress. In smaller communities — where resources are already limited — losing even one service can mean no access to care at all.
 
These cuts don't save money in the long run. They simply shift costs. Without strong behavioral health systems, more people end up in hospital emergency departments, the criminal justice system, or facing homelessness — outcomes that are far more expensive and tragic. A lack of early intervention turns manageable problems into full-blown crises.
 
If we truly believe in caring for our neighbors, mental health must remain a priority, not an afterthought. By investing in behavioral health now, we can prevent crises later and ensure that every Berkshire County resident has access to the support they deserve. Our community's strength depends on it.
 
Now is the time for action. We urge our state and federal legislators to prioritize sustainable, increased funding for behavioral health services that reflect the true costs of care. Cuts to these vital programs threaten the wellbeing of individuals and the health of our entire community.
 
We also call on all Berkshire County residents and local organizations to stand together — whether by advocating for policy change or by supporting local providers through donations. Your contribution can make a real difference in keeping these critical services available to those who need them most.
 
Visit briencenter.org/donations today to help sustain care in our community. Together, we can protect the lifelines that save lives every day.
 
Diana L. Knaebe is president and CEO of the Brien Center.
 
This op-ed is endorsed by the Brien Center's Board of Directors, reflecting its collective commitment to sustaining vital behavioral health services for the people of Berkshire County.

 


Tags: federal funds,   mental health,   

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Friday Front Porch Feature: Allendale Pines North

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Are you looking for an inexpensive home to raise your family in? Then this might be the home for you. And if not, there's a couple other options.

Our Friday Front Porch is a weekly feature spotlighting attractive homes for sale in Berkshire County. This week we are showcasing model homes at Allendale Pines North.

Teton Management is opening its new manufactured housing development next Allendale Pines at 395 Cheshire Road, and has three different model homes to choose from.

The Monroe with a full porch and with a half-porch, and The Aspire are available to move into in March. 

All the models have three bedrooms and two baths in 1,280 square feet, and include two parking spaces. The Monroe full-porch is on the market for $194,900, Monroe half-porch $189,900, and The Aspire for $204,900. View a video tour here.

The lot rent is $550 a month and it includes trash removal and recycling, as well as water and sewer. Tenants are responsible for their own utilities and lawn care/snow removal. Dogs and cats are allowed, for up to two pets.

We spoke with Val Whaling from Teton Management about the new homes.

What do you think makes this property stand out in the current market? 

The three models — Monroe Full- Porch, Monroe Half -Porch, and The Aspire — are Titan Home products manufactured by Champion Homes and stand out in the current market because:

  • The purchase price of these homes is well below current market rate single-family homes in Berkshire County.

  • The 5 Star Energy-Efficient rating (featuring energy-efficient windows and high- performance insulation) and one-year warranty on the home, sets these homes apart from older, stick-built homes.

  • These homes are built to strict HUD standards and include structural integrity in order to meet federal standards for durability, safety and wind resistance.

Are there any stand-out design features? 

Stand out features include: open concept floorplan, covered porches, stainless steel appliances, large laundry room /mudrooms, and large glass walk-in showers.

What kind of buyer do you see this home being perfect for? 

First time homebuyers/ professionals preferring home ownership vs. renting, empty nesters wanting to downsize, and cost-conscious individuals preferring the affordability of these homes.

What's the neighborhood like? 

Allendale Pines North will be comprised of 22 brand-new homes, on individual lots, set on beautiful property, neighboring the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail. The property is located at 395 Cheshire Road, Pittsfield, offering proximity to retail shopping and dining. Additionally, Allendale Pines North property is well managed by a reputable owner/operator. (All adult community residents are approved via community application approval process.).

What would you say to a buyer trying to imagine their life in this space? 

"Imagine the cost savings of owning a brand-new, energy-efficient home, easy to maintain and allowing the convenience of modern day and easy living, in a quiet, well-managed community."

What does the home come with? 

Included are: Stainless steel Whirlpool appliances (refrigerator with icemaker, dishwasher, and gas stove/oven), and closets equipped with shelf/hanging rod. Plus an 8-by-10-foot Amish built shed, two wooden entrance stairs with wooden handrails and black wrought iron spindles, two-car driveway, sidewalks and brand-new water/sewer infrastructure.

You can find out more about these homes on its listing here.

*Front Porch Feature brings you an exclusive to some of the houses listed on our real estate page every week. Here we take a bit of a deeper dive into a certain house for sale and ask questions so you don't have to.

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