The Arizona Tragedy and Mental Health Care
The following are just some of the articles that have come out about the tragic AZ shooting.
Statement by Michael J. Fitzpatrick, Executive Director, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) NAMI is an organization of individuals and families whose lives have been deeply affected by mental illness. We share the sadness of other Americans over the Tucson, Arizona tragedy and extend our sympathy to the families of the six individuals who died. We pray for the recovery of U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords and the 13 other persons who were wounded. Representative Giffords is a NAMI friend who has served as co-chair of the NAMIWalk in Southeast Arizona and has supported our missions of education, support and advocacy. When tragedies involving mental illness occur, it is essential to understand the nature of mental illness-and to find out what went wrong. The U.S. Surgeon General has reported that the likelihood of violence from people with mental illness is low. In fact, "the overall contribution of mental disorders to the total level of violence in society is exceptionally small." Acts of violence are exceptional. They are a sign that something has gone terribly wrong, usually in the mental healthcare system. Nationwide, the mental health care system is broken. Arizona, like other states, has deeply cut mental health services. Arizona has a broad civil commitment law to require treatment if it is needed; however, the law cannot work if an evaluation is never conducted or mental health services are not available. In specific cases such as this, authorities and the news media should seek to objectively determine every factor that may have contributed to the tragedy-so that we can act on lessons learned.
Was there a diagnosis? What is the full medical history? When were symptoms first noticed? Did family members receive education about mental illness and support? Did the person or family ever seek treatment-only to have it delayed or denied? Was the person seen by mental health professionals? By whom? How often? Was treatment coordinated among different professionals? Was the person prescribed medication? Was it being taken? If not, why not? Was substance abuse involved? What may have triggered the psychiatric crisis? ************************************************************************** Image by artist Amber Osterhout. The recent shooting rampage in Tuscon, Arizona at an event held by Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords has a lot of commentators clumsily throwing around words like "crazy," "nutty," "insane," and "psycho" in an effort to describe the suspected shooter. And they're not using these words as part of any meaningful reporting. Rather, they're using them to insult a mass murderer. As if calling him a mass murderer isn't insulting enough! Many people hold strong misconceptions about the association between mental illness and criminality, and the mainstream media is all too good at reinforcing these misconceptions. The truth, however, is that you're more likely to be a victim of violent crime if you have a serious mental illness than you are to be a criminal. But this isn't something the media likes to report on. Those of us living with mental illnesses know all too well that having a mental illness doesn't make someone take up crime, just as being a criminal doesn't induce mental illness. Sure, the two can coincide, and it's possible in the case of the Arizona assassin that they do. But whatever the case, having a mental illness is neither a necessary nor a sufficient condition for committing mass murder any more than belonging to a certain race, gender or religion is. Hopefully one day our mainstream media will pick up on this. = ************************************************************************************************* Julie Fast Blog: Here in the states, a man named Jared Lee Loughner opened fire at a super market where a politician U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was giving a speech. She was definitely his target. There is a lot of coverage on the news here about his behavior as well as when he was in high school and once he graduated people were very concerned about his behavior. The first article I read mentioned his background and how he had left a note for the senator saying what he was going to do. Then article said every single thing except what was glaringly obvious. Jared Laughtner had a sever mental illness that impaired his judgement and led to this terrible event. As I was reading the articles, I said to myself: "Are these writers blind? Don't they know anything? He is 100% showing all of the signs of paranoid schizophrenia. All of the signs from paranoia, inability to get along with others, trouble with the reality around him to odd writings and behavior. The list is endless. I kept reading the article waiting for the word schizophrenia to be mentioned and there was not one reference to a possible brain disorder. Of course, things are different this morning. People can't stay blind forever. Now the artilces have these headlines: Jared Lee Loughner a 'Disturbed' Man Jared Lee Loughner and His Legacy of Despair ** Legacy of despair? How much longer is our society going to skirt around the issue and use these words instead of saying the real words: Mental Illness- Schizophrenia- Bipolar Disorder. The real words. As those of us with the illnesses or those of us who care about someone with a mental illness, need to speak out and say, "This was a man with a brain disorder, a mental illness that distorted the reality of his mind. Yes, the shootings are his fault. But not in the way the media portrays the situation. He obviously did not get the care he needed- and that is the real tragedy. When I saw his picture I was so shocked. As is so common, he looks like a sweet and normal guy. The problem is that whatever illness he has, and I'm pretty sure paranoid schizophrenia will come out soon- he is a human being who did something so terrible it's hard to imagine. He killed and injured people as do many who are not of sound mind and body. My heart goes out the families and to U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. But... for once.. can we just talk about this for what it is? An illness that was not caught and treated? Can we use this to discuss mental illness instead of finding a reason WHY this happened? It happened because he was ill and even though people tried, he didn't get the right treatment. Julie www.BipolarHappens.com/bhblog ***************************************************************************************************** County Targets Mental Illness Myths BY PEGGY PICO January 18, 2011 SAN DIEGO - It's unclear whether or not mental illness played a role in Jared Loughner's alleged shooting of congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and the killing of six other people. But mental health professionals worry the Tucson shooting rampage will reinforce negative stereotypes about people who are mentally ill. Wendy McNeill has a deep personal knowledge of the stigma surrounding mental illness. The San Diego resident is a 39-year-old college graduate. She has a good job and she's been married for eight years. McNeill also has a severe mental illness. "I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when I was 19 years old. I had a massive manic episode," said McNeil. Mania, or the manic portion of bipolar disease, causes people to act like they're high on speed for days, weeks or even months. Typical signs of mania include little or no sleep, rapid speech, and hyperactivity, racing thoughts. McNeill also experienced hallucinations. "I once thought my front yard was the Garden of Eden and that our ficus tree was the tree of knowledge. I went running around it naked in my front yard," explained McNeill. It's that kind of odd behavior that leads to misconceptions about the mentally ill. Alfredo Aguirre, director of San Diego County Mental Health, says he's trying to change those misconceptions. "What we want to do is change perceptions about mental illness and to communicate that recovery is certainly possible and to address stigma as it relates to mental health challenges," said Aguirre. To break through the stigma surrounding mental illness, San Diego County launched a five-year, $8.4 million media campaign called "It's Up To Us." "It's a campaign to help all San Diegans talk openly about mental illness. To help them recognize the symptoms and seek help, " Aguirre said. The campaign is funded through the Mental Health Service Act - a 2004 voter-approved measure that imposed a 1 per cent tax on California millionaires. Throughout the county, "Up To Us" ads can be found on billboards, busses, the web, TV, radio and theater screens. Aguirre says the ads will help people understand who has mental illness and how they can get help. "When people think of mental illness, they probably think of homelessness. But what we're trying to do is help people understand it's in their midst, it's in their families," explains Aguirre. Wendy McNeill recalls that her father was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. But she said no one in her family talked about it until he committed suicide. "It was very hush-hush. I never heard the word bipolar. It was always very euphemistic like," said McNeill, speaking in a whisper. "They would say 'he has emotional problems' or 'he has to take a mental health day.' " Denial is one reason for the stigma surrounding mental health. Another is the fear that a mentally ill person will become violent. But years of data from the National Institute of Mental Health show people with mental illness are more likely to become victims of violence than perpetrators of it. Doctor David Folsom is a UCSD family practice doctor and a psychiatrist. He agrees with the findings. Doctor Folsom said that fear of mental illness not only comes from the community, but also from patients themselves. "Sometimes people who have a mental illness are afraid of admitting it, afraid of what it implies - that is, it's a very severe problem and that they won't be able to have a normal life again. And that's not at all true,'' said Folsom. Like diabetes, high blood pressure or other chronic diseases, Dr. Folsom said mental illness could be successfully treated. "Mental illness is definitely treatable. People can have very full rich meaningful lives despite the fact they have diabetes or bipolar disorder or schizophrenia," Folsom said. Wendy McNeill is living proof. After a decade of psychiatric hospitalizations, she said she finally realized she had a treatable disease. "After taking my medication regularly, I kind of had this revelation that I actually had a mental illness," explained McNeill. Since then she's been treated with medication, therapy and garnered support from family and friends. McNeill hasn't been hospitalized in eight years. "I'm considered kind of a success story," she said with a smile. McNeill said she is happy people in San Diego are working to dispel the myths about mental illness and added these words of advice. "Show people with mental illness respect, this what will erase stigma. Mental illness is something no would choose to have, " said McNeill. Erasing stigma by understanding the illness is good plan for the sane and everyone else, said McNeill. ********************************************************************* I was forwarded this shocking cartoon (attached) printed recently in the UT. As you can see, it expresses exactly the kind of misinformation about mental illness that we are trying to extinguish in our work with the International Bipolar Foundation. I have sent it your way in case any of you are interested in sending a letter to the editor (as a member of the board if we choose to go that route, or as an individual).
It appeared in the San Diego Union Tribune 01/11/2011, Page B05
Below are instructions NAMI has encouraged to send letters to the editor if anyone wants to include. 1 - Mental Health is always the first to get hit with budget cuts 2 - Access to care/treatment is poor 3 - Stigma prevents access to treatment 4 - we need to focus on early intervention
Letters policy The Union-Tribune encourages community dialogue on important public matters and welcomes letters to the editor. All letters are subject to editing. Letters must include a full name, community of residence and a daytime telephone number, though the phone number will not be published. E-mail submissions are preferred to letters@ uniontrib.com <http://uniontrib.com/>. Letters can also be faxed to (619) 260-5081, or mailed to Letters Editor, P.O. Box 120191, San Diego, CA 92112-0191. ************ Mental Health Ministries; Susan Schroeder: Mental Health Ministries Winter e-Spotlight We have all been touched by the tragic event in Arizona. Prayers for all persons involved are being lifted up by faith communities across the nation. As we collectively try to understand the motivations behind such an act, we are hearing many comments about mental illnesses. Some of these comments reflect the stigma surrounding these illnesses of the brain. My prayer is that we can work together to transform this tragic event into an opportunity to educate our faith communities about mental illness. We can work together to dispel the myths surrounding brain disorders. We can educate about symptoms and warning signs. We can address the social justice issue of accessibility to mental health care.
|