Lesson 38: Let's Get Back to Basics

Last week, a heinous crime occured when a 20 year old mentally-ill man murdered 27 innocent women and children, because he was angry his Mom was going to send him away to live due to his increasing dangerous behavior.  Not only is it sad that innocent children were killed, but sad that as advanced as our nation is, we have not learned how to adequately help our mentally ill and their families. The answer is not a gun issue.

We must first recognize that those who are mentally ill often do not recognize nor acknowledge they elicit behaviors out of the norm.  You cannot simply tell them to shape up and behave. You cannot make mentally ill adults live somewhere without their permission or without legal action.

Some would argue that we have created the problems through our chemically-laden way of life. Others would say we do not provide adequate services for preventing, as well as treating the problems. Let's get back to basics.

What can we do as a culture to "deal" with the problem?  What can we do to help these families cope?  With healthy children, we struggle when they do not behave for an afternoon. Imagine a lifetime.  We tend to look through windows at those who are struggling, not quite reaching out, but watching as their lives disintegrate.  We must deal with "what is."  Then we can deal with "how do we prevent." 

Let's put our resources and efforts into the here and now, so senseless murders do not continue.  Help families crying out for help.  Give them the support to make the best decisions for themselves and their communities. Parenthood is difficult enough without others looking down on you, because your children are different.  Let these parents, family members, and professionals know it is okay to make those tough decisions for the safety and welfare of our society.