General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Everybody talks gun control, but nobody talks about increasing funding for mental health services [View all]bettyellen
(47,209 posts)treatment, and you can't get outside help until the endangering behavior is happening. And usually then you get a 3-4 week stay until insurance runs out.
Parents literally have very few options if they are afraid of future violence except to put them out of the street.
Education, support with earlier interventions are key. Right now, the system makes it hell for families.
The guns were foolish if she didn't have them secured. But our society leaves parents in a position where they try to be full time caregivers to young people who should instead be getting out into the world forging a life. The resentment and despair can build up on both sides.
It's not working. Less demonization of mental illness, and much more support and education is desperately needed. For every killer like him, there's thousands of quietly ill hiding at home that we choose not to think about.