St. Tammany Parish officials have approved a major funding cut for Safe Haven, a mental health facility located near Mandeville. The parish council voted to reduce the center’s budget by $600,000, as leaders try to address a massive deficit of between $20 and $30 million. This decision raises concerns among local mental health advocates, who say many vulnerable people rely on Safe Haven for behavioral health services.
The financial struggle comes thirteen years after Safe Haven opened to replace Southeast Louisiana Hospital, which was once the region’s primary hospital for mental health care. Now, Safe Haven faces a threat to its stability as the parish council looks for savings in other departments as well. At a recent budget hearing, council members also agreed not to give raises to any employees next year and implemented a hiring freeze for all vacant jobs.
Parish council member Cheryl Tanner explained that unpredictable insurance costs are causing more financial pressure. She noted that the deficit affects essential services, including the sheriff’s office, the district attorney’s office, and the court system. For example, the jail, DA, and judges are seeing their budgets cut by as much as 30 percent because there is not enough money.
There was also debate over proposed reductions in the general fund, which would have hit the parish president’s office and several administrative departments. Parish President Mike Cooper warned that some threatened cuts could endanger jobs that actually help generate income for St. Tammany Parish. However, the council ultimately left the president’s budget unchanged, choosing instead to focus cuts elsewhere.
The decision to reduce funding for Safe Haven leaves community behavioral health providers in a difficult position. Richard Kramer, representing the Florida Parishes Human Services Authority, pointed out that the local need for mental health care is higher than ever. While the facility will not shut down immediately, Councilmember Tanner said the coming months are critical and expressed hope that the conversation will expand to consider Safe Haven’s long-term future.
To address the parish’s ongoing financial crisis, an efficiency committee is now examining all expenditures. The budget for 2026 remains under review, and more hearings are planned.
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