Newtown Aftermath

This post is outside the arena of most of my notes, but because of the information I received from my cousin, I felt it would be of interest to regular readers of "Notes"

Yesterday (Monday) I did a blog post about some of my concerns following the Newtown shootings.  I have had some dialog and email exchanges with some of my friends and relatives as a result.  If you want to read yesterday's post, click on the OneEmptyChair link at the top of the right hand column.

I had long and insightful letter from my cousin overnight.  Her father was a prominent child psychiatrist in a major northwestern US city, her husband was a psychiatrist, her brother was a psychiatrist, and she was a psychiatric social worker.  Lots of experience there!

I am providing a few quotes from her letter.
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"I will tell you what I think from a psychiatric perspective which John, my dad, brother and myself have all worked in the field for many years."

She then related that basically, during the 1970's, the medicine and treatment methods advanced to the point where many disturbed people could be effectively treated without being locked up in prisons or security mental institutions.  Families and the legal system could essentially force people to have treatment as a condition for not being incarcerated. 

"This was a very good thing but" (in the 1980's) "the 'advocates' got into the act and sued doctors and specifically the state to say that no one could be forced to take medication as part of their treatment or a condition for living on their own.

 

The legal procedures for anything other than a brief hold are now almost impossible"

  

So, in spite of effective treatment being available, it is often not provided to those who need it the most, because they refuse to be treated  and no one can force them to be treated.

"All of this has resulted in a system which basically doesn't protect or provide a safety net for the people afflicted with mental illness nor does it protect families and communities from those afflicted.

We need a return to common sense and personalized treatment."   With current health care practice regulations  "and what is to come, neither common sense or personalized treatment will be part of the equation.

I feel that early treatment, continuing treatment and continuity of care as well as education to families and community is what will keep people the safest but sadly I see no advocates for returning to some of the things that most helped those ill and protected society when I first entered the scene in the 1970's.

 

More rules and regulations won't help what I'm talking about. Possibly revisions/improvements will come from individuals in communities that can make changes in their local laws, fight them to the top of the court system and gradually spread the change.

 

Just increasing money to towards mental health programs will be, as Rich said, another bandaid. "

 

We need real change. 


I agree with Jean this should not be a partisan political issue.  These are changes that don't need more money.
______________________________________end of letter.

Note from Rich----

Currently, a huge wave of hysteria seems to be overcoming us.  My wife substitute taught yesterday at our local school, which was all locked except for the front door.  Parents were walking their kids into the school and even to the classroom.  In another area school, individual classroom doors were locked and windows blacked out.  In this emotion charged national atmosphere, there is no telling what “reforms” will be put in place.  I, too, hope this is not politicized. 

Read the comment below for more insight.