General Discussion

clayton72

(135 posts)

55. Mental Healthcare in the US needs an overhaul

Mon Oct 5, 2015, 06:12 AM

Oct 2015

We as a country should feel shame for the state of mental healthcare in the US. People complain about the homeless population, but it's our fault. Some of them are just down on their luck or made bad choices, but most have mental and substance abuse problems and should be in treatment, not marginalized. Most folks who can't cope are not a danger to themselves or anyone else, they're vulnerable. Demonization / stigmatization needs to stop.
If the GOP wants to say that we don't have a gun problem, it's a mental health problem... OK, fine! Pass a freaking bill to address the problem. Work on treatment for substance abuse and elder care (dementia) while you're at it. Also, disarm domestic abusers while you're at it. We need more compassion from these "Christian" conservatives. Put up or shut up

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OK, who else is sick of the demonization of the mentally ill following shootings? [View all] backscatter712 Oct 2015 OP

By definition, a person who is capable and willing to shoot up a classroom... TipTok Oct 2015 #1

but that is a completely different case from the typical mental healthcare patient paulkienitz Oct 2015 #47

That's a good example of the classic strawman and the subtle dissembling shift from HereSince1628 Oct 2015 #63

No one with "their ducks in a row" loves guns. hunter Oct 2015 #72

Your post was alerted. MADem Oct 2015 #100

Every time this happens it is the same story...someone pipoman Oct 2015 #2

And yet you seem to want to ignore the correlation of easy access to firearms Crunchy Frog Oct 2015 #5

No, I recognize the reality of it... pipoman Oct 2015 #10

People would still have the desire. Just not the means. Crunchy Frog Oct 2015 #14

It's not my work, it is constitutionally protected right with pipoman Oct 2015 #19

"The mentally ill" is a rather sweeping category Crunchy Frog Oct 2015 #23

If they're peaceful and harmless they probably don't want guns anyway... pipoman Oct 2015 #26

Maybe they want a gun for the same reasons you do. Crunchy Frog Oct 2015 #29

Violent people can't legally buy guns if they have a conviction pipoman Oct 2015 #32

...assuming the conviction gets in the NCIS database. backscatter712 Oct 2015 #43

No, it's a recent rogue SCOTUS decision. backscatter712 Oct 2015 #36

Agree there gwheezie Oct 2015 #39

the deadliest lancer78 Oct 2015 #52

So are you proposing that guns should be banned altogether TeddyR Oct 2015 #101

Neither. Crunchy Frog Oct 2015 #103

Should we ignore the correlation between gwheezie Oct 2015 #9

That isn't happening or likely, ignoring the mentally ill will not be acceptable pipoman Oct 2015 #13

+1 stage left Oct 2015 #35

+1000 kairos12 Oct 2015 #91

I demonize those who manufacture, sell, and lobby for guns. onehandle Oct 2015 #3

I find that ridiculous TeddyR Oct 2015 #102

It's personal for me too, and I'm sick of it as well. Crunchy Frog Oct 2015 #4

Wouldn't you rather be turned down for guns knowing it helps yeoman6987 Oct 2015 #54

Now why don't you ask that question of the gun fanciers on DU? Crunchy Frog Oct 2015 #59

Well there you go. yeoman6987 Oct 2015 #66

I see more a minimization and/or trivializing of the seriousness of mental illness. egduj Oct 2015 #6

No, it's just that some of us don't like the stigmatization Crunchy Frog Oct 2015 #16

It's not all about you. Should religious extremism not be condemned snagglepuss Oct 2015 #61

Wrong thread and wrong post. Crunchy Frog Oct 2015 #64

I'm horrified by some suggestions gwheezie Oct 2015 #7

Now why shouldn't people with diagnosed mental illness pipoman Oct 2015 #15

You really want to deter people from seeking assistance with mental health issues? Crunchy Frog Oct 2015 #18

A return to state facilities funded by feds pipoman Oct 2015 #21

So you want to lock up millions of people Crunchy Frog Oct 2015 #27

I love the liberty lovers gwheezie Oct 2015 #40

I can't support that. gwheezie Oct 2015 #34

+1 nt Live and Learn Oct 2015 #41

Um, that should be modernized. backscatter712 Oct 2015 #37

How about we tell the NRA Fuck You and lock them up in a prison. Gun nutosis should be diagnosed whereisjustice Oct 2015 #49

That wouldn't amend the constitution.. pipoman Oct 2015 #70

Well, that and the ability to ban the CDC's research on particular health matters. LanternWaste Oct 2015 #92

It's odd the disparities in your prophetic absolutes. LanternWaste Oct 2015 #90

Oh please gwheezie Oct 2015 #20

Glad to see you get the point pipoman Oct 2015 #22

Oh dear I've gotten the point years ago gwheezie Oct 2015 #25

That is what I'm saying gwheezie Oct 2015 #24

The NICS already is supposed to include everyone who has been involuntary committed right now pipoman Oct 2015 #28

I understand that gwheezie Oct 2015 #38

yep pipoman Oct 2015 #42

Okay, you asked the question and I will answer from the jwirr Oct 2015 #75

That was a thoughtful response pipoman Oct 2015 #87

And on what you just said I agree. Just wanted you to know jwirr Oct 2015 #88

I believe we need to mandate accurate reporting of pipoman Oct 2015 #93

Where do YOU draw the line? jen63 Oct 2015 #84

I think the line shouldn't be drawn at mental illness at all. backscatter712 Oct 2015 #94

Here, you and the science agree. backscatter712 Oct 2015 #73

It wasn't a mentally ill person that committed that shooting. NuclearDem Oct 2015 #8

Totally agree and I want to add that in general the Mentally ill have more to fear from us LostOne4Ever Oct 2015 #11

I agree. I think if mental illness is going to be the main focus, pacalo Oct 2015 #12

Anyone with depressive disorder would hurt themselves first xfundy Oct 2015 #17

Sadly, that is not entirely true. TM99 Oct 2015 #53

Well... John Holmes did live on, so did Dylan Roof (sp?), so did Nidal Hasan HereSince1628 Oct 2015 #69

I'm totally sick of it. stage left Oct 2015 #30

BTW, you might enjoy this podcast randys1 Oct 2015 #79

Thanks, randys1 stage left Oct 2015 #97

K&R me b zola Oct 2015 #86

I think it's the guns libodem Oct 2015 #31

I'm sick of the guns. Iggo Oct 2015 #33

I don't see demonization KT2000 Oct 2015 #44

Yep. I've said it before, I'll say it again: TygrBright Oct 2015 #45

I read your link and I've got one word for it: stage left Oct 2015 #99

Mass killings are commited by people with guns. I think that is 100% causal relationship. whereisjustice Oct 2015 #46

Like Andreas Lubitz? Nuclear Unicorn Oct 2015 #67

The stigma is definitely real. KyleMcShades Oct 2015 #48

I submit since the NRA cares so much about mental health, they should be the first ones to be whereisjustice Oct 2015 #50

Good one...and true randys1 Oct 2015 #80

There are far too many people taking medication for depression to use them as scapegoats.... Spitfire of ATJ Oct 2015 #51

Mental Healthcare in the US needs an overhaul clayton72 Oct 2015 #55

This particular notion has been so successfully put out by the right that the NRA Vinca Oct 2015 #56

Unless you're mentalling ill and trying to purchase a myriad of firearms to go and kill btrflykng9 Oct 2015 #57

anything but the fucking gunz. Warren Stupidity Oct 2015 #58

I think it is a subject that needs to be addressed Marrah_G Oct 2015 #60

Hey, being demonized is the first step toward political power, in the US LGBT people are demonized Bluenorthwest Oct 2015 #62

Mental illness exists everywhere, in every country. frustrated_lefty Oct 2015 #65

The single biggest factor is easy access to firearms for everyone. alarimer Oct 2015 #68

I don't think they are demonized treestar Oct 2015 #71

K&R I think the problem is that when people use this term jwirr Oct 2015 #74

Personally, I Demonize Congress/Reagan fredamae Oct 2015 #76

Don't confuse opinions about Big Pharma and its wares with opinions on the patient. WinkyDink Oct 2015 #77

Me. nt kelliekat44 Oct 2015 #78

The mental illness is a society that has more guns than people. randys1 Oct 2015 #81

Yep. But anything to talk about other than the 300 million lethal portable hideable GUNS will do. Fred Sanders Oct 2015 #85

+1 nt stage left Oct 2015 #95

Me! Me! KamaAina Oct 2015 #82

Yup. zappaman Oct 2015 #83

Plenty of people here demonize all gun owners B2G Oct 2015 #89

Fox is a Crazy-Maker, that's way different than having a mental illness. Dont call me Shirley Oct 2015 #96

Saying that this particular mentally ill person shouldn't have had access to guns pnwmom Oct 2015 #98