Mental health care needs to be more accessible in the US.

[meadowlander]

Reading some of the posts from Q Anoners, I can't help thinking some of these people are having major depressive, anxiety, bipolar or schizophrenic episodes and needed someone to talk to and couldn't afford actual therapy.

It's not an excuse for anything that went down last week, but I think we do need to understand how so many people are such easy pickings for radicalisation.

Not that many people can afford $200 a week for decent quality mental health counseling or access to drugs, especially when access to that kind of care is tied to their employment.

But we can't afford to let free online conspiracy theory communities continue to pick up the slack.

[blue neen]

1. I agree with you,

but from what I observed from this particular crowd, you'd have hard time convincing THEM.

[The Genealogist]

2. I'm sure a lot of them do have mental issues.

The RW propaganda machine looks at that and says "Here's someone vulnerable. How can we exploit it to our advantage?" And they will take advantage in any way possible--whether on internet chat boards, through terrestrial broadcasting, cable infotainment, podcasts, or what have you.

What I see as someone who has mental health issues (panic disorder with agoraphobia) is that there remains a lot of stigma surrounding mental health issues. Many still see mental health issues as weaknesses or flaws in character. Fact is, the brain is part of the body. We don't call heart problems or arthritic knees weaknesses or character flaws, and we shouldn't do it with problems that arise in the mind, either. However, insurance companies, many medical professionals, etc. still see it that way.

[enki23]

3. Yes it should be easier. But they could have access if they want it. They don't.

You can describe them as mentally ill, I guess, but what's really wrong with them is not the kind of mental illness we should feel we need to help or have sympathy for. We are under no obligation to "help" these fucking monsters. Almost none of them would ever accept it, or be improved by the attempt. They are broken, and most of them will stay that way till they die.

[meadowlander]

4. To be clear, I'm not saying all of these people are mentally ill.

I'm saying some of them are more vulnerable to radicalisation because they have an untreated mental illness.

A lot of them are just assholes.

But we can potentially do something about the ones who have a mental illness.

I have family members with schizophrenia and in my experience it is not easy to get good quality consistent and long-term help for people with serious mental health issues and limited financial resources.

[sanatanadharma]

5. The mental health problems among USa are not just personal

Societal sickness exists. The USA is poisoned by the fantasies of extreme individualism and freedom that define the western-white-ways. Both the 'self' of individuals and actual freedom are poorly known so people feel oppressed and seek succor in countless ways and diversions (movies, games, rages and riots). The 'means' seem never to lead to the end of unhappiness.

A societal-selfishness exists wherein 'Me and mine' are valued, while 'we and us' are disparaged and denied.
When any "I" stands alone against the world, fear arises. We often read that the conservative mind is a fearful mind.

My small suggestion for mental well-being would be make Alan Watts book, "The Book," required reading in schools.
That and logic classes.

[in2herbs]

6. Unless they've been committed to an institution for evaluation the law does not allow mandatory

mental health therapy without the consent of the patient.

We need to take back our education system and institute teaching critical thinking skills, debate skills, along with some government service where kids/youth are exposed to situations that build empathy.

[Kaleva]

7. Getting quality mental health care here is very hard.

If one attempts suicide, they can get admitted right away and get full time care right away. But for those who are really suffering but not suicidal, then it can be very traumatic for those who have the illness and for those family members trying to do the best for them in the meantime because the treatment is often outpatient or person is put on a waiting list to be admitted.

Taking care of someone who is suffering greatly from mental illness but not suicidal so is getting out patient treatment that can take weeks to complete is not easy. Particularly if the cared for person can go from suffering but not suicidal to suicidal in just a minute or so and they make an attempt.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

8. Willful ignorance, racism and cruelty are not mental illnesses, and conflating the two does a

grave disservice to people who have mental illnesses.