Ted Remsnyder reports for Columbia-Greene Media that during a heightened mental health crisis, the Greene County Mental Health Center in Cairo is not taking new patient appointments because of staffing shortages. “Currently, the demand for our services is really quite high,” said Greene County Mental Health Center Director Jason Fredenberg on July 6. “We’re very much struggling with staffing shortages. It’s hitting us very hard. I know it’s hitting businesses all over the place. The mental health community across the state is struggling with it, as well. We have a number of vacancies and very few applicants. So, we’re at a point where we’re really having a hard time keeping up with the demand that’s coming in.” Fredenberg said the office is still complying with the law. “We are still required and are able to see all people that are discharged from the hospital,” he told the Greene County Legislature. “By regulation, anyone that’s being discharged from a psychiatric unit we need to see within five business days. We will continue to see those folks.” But members of the public who call for help are being sent elsewhere. The Greene County Mental Health Center has hired two new staffers that come on in September, but no other solution to the staffing shortage was reported. Read more about this story at HudsonValley360.com.