tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post2732124170706986238..comments2023-10-25T03:45:03.077-04:00Comments on Confessions of a Watery Tart: Mental Health (or Lack Thereof)Hart Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17599570189253229318noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-63220219057673926572012-12-19T23:17:12.862-05:002012-12-19T23:17:12.862-05:00Michael, at least you know I will never egg you fo...Michael, at least you know I will never egg you for that, as I am an atheist too ;)<br /><br />This is so true that all the mass shooters are men! For some reason it had never occurred to me before I saw you Tweet about it. Can't believe I am saying that as I am such a Twitter newb.Trishahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16927558937796802496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-80697893443886795212012-12-19T11:26:18.910-05:002012-12-19T11:26:18.910-05:00As someone that is employed in the mental health b...As someone that is employed in the mental health business, I can assure you that where I'm at in the country, men and boys are pretty much ignored and women/girls get all the attention. I don't know why that is...but I think there's a connection that no one is looking at with all of these mass shootings. They're all boys doing it. Boys need as much attention (and a different kind) because they are reluctant due to testosterone to come forward and admit that they need help. I also think, Hart, that religion and it's made up rules (I'm atheist) are to blame for adding pressure to families to conform to certain expectations. This probably contributes to mental illness. I know that prozac is prescribed heavily in Provo (south of where I live) which is a very religious community.<br /><br />I'm heading out now before I get egged by religious fundies.Michael Offutt, Phantom Readerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10557969104886174930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-5776627960080213582012-12-19T10:52:57.074-05:002012-12-19T10:52:57.074-05:00I don't have any answers. And I have my share ...I don't have any answers. And I have my share of mental illnesses, my own and in the family.<br />What I can say about myself is that we need to start acknowledging the mental violence and abuse. The emotional, the social, the verbal... all the torture that leaves no visible marks - at first. <br />In my mind bullying - even the "light" sort - is torture and should be stopped immediately. <br /><br />Having mental illnesses doesn't make people dangerous, irresponsible, such that you need to keep them away from weapons etc.Ketutarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17817006362006690145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-18919595802730753032012-12-19T07:30:17.322-05:002012-12-19T07:30:17.322-05:00Great point, Hart. Many suffer from mental illness...Great point, Hart. Many suffer from mental illnesses. WHat gets me is that Lanza's mom underestimated that and continued to house firearms and encourage him to learn how to use them. Not saying it was her fault entirely--no mom expects their kid to be capable of such things.But it was extremely unwise and careless. PK HREZOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11650153097981426833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-50243052100866013992012-12-18T21:49:47.757-05:002012-12-18T21:49:47.757-05:00Thank you, Hart, for once again addressing a serio...Thank you, Hart, for once again addressing a serious issue and doing so with passion and intelligence. Between your words and Patti's, there isn't much I can add but this: a society is judged by how it treats its weakest, most vulnerable members. This includes the mentally ill, and how we treat them -- and fail to treat them -- is a national shame.Helenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14967821142796562697noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-82582636156263170872012-12-18T18:18:40.445-05:002012-12-18T18:18:40.445-05:00You've been so helpful, Patti! Thank you dahl...You've been so helpful, Patti! Thank you dahlink!Hart Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17599570189253229318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-11115356633575488992012-12-18T17:46:16.218-05:002012-12-18T17:46:16.218-05:00As an added challenge, we in mental health industr...As an added challenge, we in mental health industry have very little that predicts violence. Best predictor of future violence is past violence. So the aggressive kids who are fighting or harming animals.... They should receive targeted intervention. Clearly. But screens for depression or anxiety or PTSD or even schizophrenia or aspergers won't predict violence very well. Asperger's isn't characterized by that type of behavior.<br /> <br />Even more so, there is some research suggesting that personality disorders are more predictive of violent or aggressive action. Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD, characterized by severe tendencies to go against societal norms, use people as means to an ends, not care if they harm others, etc) is most notable, tho borderline or narcissistic folks may also fit the bill. Personality disorders do not respond to meds, and have limited success with behavioral treatments. We have seen high success with dialectical behavior therapy for borderline PD (with some research suggesting efficacy for antisocial traits), but that's it. We don't know how to treat personality deficits. Antisocial tendencies are seen in kids - oppositional-defiant and conduct disorders are prerequisite for diagnosis with ASPD. However, many kids grow out of those behaviors as they mature. We know there is a disproportionate number of people with ASPD in prison, which fits the disorder well. But we can't treat it, and people often aren't diagnosed until after serious acts of violence. Current diagnostic procedure discludes diagnosis of ANY personality disorder before age of 18. So, some of the younger violent offenders are never caught. <br /><br />I think that within the mental health care field, we need more information. I wish we had something with any predictive validity to attempt to prevent such events. To date, sadly, we do not.Pattihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10867203730744848091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-64627701093248697042012-12-18T15:22:25.746-05:002012-12-18T15:22:25.746-05:00We need a few more safety nets, in place. Not ever...We need a few more safety nets, in place. Not everyone is going to talk to their pastor/minster. It feels like an ocean filled with seaweed and how to we treat it all! I think most people, at some point in time, will have depression. Women I do think because of the hormonal swings are more likely, but men get it too!<br /><br />I think of your gun post and this one, about mental illness and wonder about Newtown, CT. Why did a teacher who knew her son had a mental illness, put a gun in his hands? She taught him how to shoot. Why? <br /><br />Education is key! We need more tests at school. We as a society need to be educated and we need to tattle. I hated in school, when the teacher, said not to tattle. WE need to talk and tattle and be proactive as a society. If we witness someone doing or saying something that is odd. We may SAVE a room full of students or a movie theater crowd,or a mall full of people! Tattle people!Ellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06070952447277684613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-38496665631992362672012-12-18T12:39:24.783-05:002012-12-18T12:39:24.783-05:00Catching it early could make a huge difference. Be...Catching it early could make a huge difference. Be even better to find the causes and stop it from happening in the first place. I do think there are a lot more cases now. What are we putting into the body and brain that messes us up so bad?Alex J. Cavanaughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09770065693345181702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-65869250325272182522012-12-18T12:17:05.675-05:002012-12-18T12:17:05.675-05:00There is so much about this that's an incredib...There is so much about this that's an incredibly huge and important issue. I believe in rehabilitation of the psychiatrically ill. I know that it is possible. I also know that our society does not necessarily value putting the time, money, and resources into this task, so many are stuck being underserved. Yet we expect people to be able to function without help and without support.<br /><br />Provision of care to the families of the psychiatrically ill is also critical. These supporters need education and their own support - it's emotionally exhausting to provide for those with mental health diagnoses. Yet these are the people often provided the least support. Historically, little support is provided for the "carers". It's a rough situation.Pattihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10867203730744848091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-47113660526915267562012-12-18T11:42:00.475-05:002012-12-18T11:42:00.475-05:00Thanks so much, guys. And Patti-especially all you...Thanks so much, guys. And Patti-especially all your fabulous knowledge and information!Hart Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17599570189253229318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-55223609127111020742012-12-18T11:06:15.565-05:002012-12-18T11:06:15.565-05:00Wow, Hart, excellent article! I am sharing it. I...Wow, Hart, excellent article! I am sharing it. I appreciate all of time that you put into it, and feel that you explained things very well.<br /><br />Kathy M.Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07171271956883698673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-6110370695665681172012-12-18T10:14:38.911-05:002012-12-18T10:14:38.911-05:00Fantastic post, Hart! I HUGE problem is the lack o...Fantastic post, Hart! I HUGE problem is the lack of talking about MH, sort of taboo for some reason. As a Nation, we need to change our way of thinking and address this issue with compassion. S.A. Larsenッhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06241633272588383935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-76249839941387058562012-12-18T09:32:53.297-05:002012-12-18T09:32:53.297-05:00(part 3)
Even if people do know about treatment o...(part 3)<br /><br />Even if people do know about treatment options, that there are services, and that in a pinch you can stay in a facility for a period of days (or longer in very rare cases), there are still huge barriers to care. Homelessness, unemployment, underemployment… many employers won’t allow an hour or two a week for individuals to receive good quality care. Forget give a few days off for inpatient or residential stays. It’s more likely that people will be “offered” time off with no pay, or even more likely, just fired.<br />The rate of mental illness among the homeless is HUGE. Homelessness among the severely mentally ill is HUGE. These are the folks who cannot maintain a job because of mental/medical health needs. IF the diagnosis were well managed, they could. BUT many are under educated, under employed, and uninsured. This is a HUGE problem. No insurance, lack of adequate employment, and huge cost of mental health treatment and medications leads to no treatment.<br /><br />My biggest recommendation right now is that our society needs more resources for the mentally ill. Both in terms of funding for mental health services, but also transitional living facilities (e.g., group homes). Many don't have families/support for a huge number of reasons. In many cases, this is a result of symptoms of the disorder. Not necessarily violence, but social awkwardness. Lack of empathy. Inability to relate to other people. Impulsivity. Or just plain grumpy or mean. These folks still need a place to go where they can survive. I think some of the group living facilities could be an answer. Lets give people hands on job training as needed. A place to live with a community of people with mental illness and staff that can help address their needs with COMPASSION. Let's help people transition to the least restrictive environment possible, with a hope of independent living one day. This is NOT an unreachable goal for many with mental illness. EVEN the severe disorders.<br /><br />There are also issues here related to education and the need for skilled labor jobs, rather than a strong focus on college education being the "only" option for people. That's another issue for another day. <br /><br />But treating those with mental illness with kindness and dignity rather than ostracism and bullying and meanness is needed. Both by adults and kids. <br />Pattihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10867203730744848091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-79576166335459156972012-12-18T09:30:27.769-05:002012-12-18T09:30:27.769-05:00(part 2)
There are still state psychiatric facili...(part 2)<br /><br />There are still state psychiatric facilities with some longer-term care. They do still struggle with the problem of funding and ability to provide long term. Community treatment is best. Being with families is best. BUT without the resources to fully manage treatment and symptoms and employers that are understanding of taking an hour or two a week off for appointments, it's much harder.<br /><br />But beyond that, wee need to increase the knowledge about mental illness and available treatments. Despite adds for happy-bouncy-pill drugs all over the news, our society doesn't know much about mental illness. The vast majority, as you said, are non-violent. Most are not "crazy". Beyond that, most people don't know that treatment is an option. Most people don't know that, for most disorders, we can manage symptoms to a point where you can be considered nearly "cured". For some, this might mean long term medication (e.g., bipolar disorder, schizophrenia). For many (e.g., depression, anxiety, PTSD), there's no reason to be on long term meds, if at all. People should know there are options and that they don't need to be on medication forever.Pattihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10867203730744848091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-89160826340642136412012-12-18T09:29:37.252-05:002012-12-18T09:29:37.252-05:00So the mental health piece is hugely important. I...So the mental health piece is hugely important. I don't know the perpetrator's history in the system, but there are a few things I know about mental health care in general. <br /><br />There is a huge lack of resources for civilians. I work within the VA, and the resources available to veterans vastly surpass what is available in the private sector. This is true both in terms of cost-reduced outpatient services and residential care. The program I work in would cost a civilian thousands and thousands of dollars. None of our vets pay more than $5/day for it. And food/housing is provided. That's dirt cheap.<br />Pattihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10867203730744848091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127677169344207651.post-65904103302200126872012-12-18T08:48:06.322-05:002012-12-18T08:48:06.322-05:00Excellent post, Hart, I totally agree with everyth...Excellent post, Hart, I totally agree with everything you've said. mshatchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06308916014310536449noreply@blogger.com