Why Doesn't Our Country (the U.S.) and Media Talk About the Lack of Mental Health Resources Available to Us?

Question

We hear so much about all the murders and child predators and especially the family murder/suicide rates in our country, but, no one seems to address that many crimes and bad acts by our citizens could be prevented if they had a sound community mental health system to turn to.

It's sad that we have not made the same progress in mental health and how we address our emotions and mental states as we have in Cardiology, Onocology, and other Medical Fields. People are still treated like misfits if they have problems, and it's treated in a "hush-hush" manner and the stigma that goes with it is the worse discrimination that takes place.

It's sad that Crisis counselors are made available for those affected by the loss of control of others, but, had such help been available to the perpetartors of these acts in the first place, they might have been prevented. We are too used to reacting and grieving instead of preventing. We need to provide help to those that want and need it.

Answer 1

well, actually, the vast majority of violent crimes are perpetrated by people without mental illnesses. It is a myth that is is the mentally ill doing all these violent crimes, in fact, people with serious mental illnesses are terribly victimized by others because (on average) they are less able to protect themselves. When I looked it up, the violence rates of people with major mental illnesses was the same as any other group of people, so long as substance abuse wasn't occurring. But with substance abuse, people with major mental illnesses did proportionately commit more violent crimes.

Now, if you are talking about that a lot of criminals have "issues" and not major mental illness, then maybe that makes more sense. But a lot of these "issues" are untreatable, like sociopathy (where you just don't care about others.) Maybe drug crimes would be reduced if people had counseling and didn't turn to recreational drugs to feel better. Maybe not-I sure see a lot of people here on yahoo answers who are unwilling to do anything to help themselves. It doesn't work if you want others to "save you." Some people grew up in an awful family environment, and maybe counseling would help that. But then, most violent criminals are young men, and on average, not the brightest young men, so you have two strikes on helping them-they are young (and think they know it all, and have little experience in life) and they are not so bright. If someone has "issues" but not a bonafide mental illness, they need counseling, and the ones who need the help the most may be the ones least able to benefit from it.

Just some thoughts-if the solution was simple, it would be done already. I mostly agree with you, I just answered because it isn't true that mentally ill people commit a lot of violent crimes.

Answer 2

I agree that in today's society of technological advancement it is sad that mental disease is still viewed so negatively. There are so many wonderful treatments out there now to help people, where in the past we were just put away in an asylum. Yet resources often are not available to those who need them- that goes with healthcare in general. Often, too, people do not recognize or want to admit that there is a problem in order to get the help they need. Insurance companies (for those who have insurance) decide what care and how much care a person needs. When it comes to mental health- inpatient treatment of 2 days, approved by insurance is inadequate and wasteful. Even when the doctor's say the patient's need further treatment, insurance won't authorize it, sending those people back out to suffer and end up in the hospital a short time later for a couple days here and there. When a period of sufficient time spent in proper treatment would cost less in the long run and prevent further injury and trauma. It is amazing the stigma still attached to such common mental diseases that are so easily treated today, with access to care.

I agree, though that persons with mental defects are not more likely to commit crimes. In the case of murder, less than 1% of people using the plea of insanity are actually truly mentally insane.

In regards to crisis counselors, they are available to anyone at any time- people just need to use the resources available and ask for help. Too often people with mental illness do not recognize the signs soon enough to know they have a problem or they are not willing to admit it and ask for help. Much like the elderly person that is unwillingly to relinquish their independence by admitting they are not longer able to drive safely or live alone any longer.

There are many issues surrounding this topic. None of which are easily fixed.

Answer 3

You are correct about the lack of mental health resources available. In my city, there is a six month waiting list to see any type of mental health professional for people who need a "sliding scale" fee treatment. Many of those who have decent health insurance do not have enough coverage for mental health treatment.

I don't know what type of effect better mental health care would have on crime, but I do know what effect it has on people who have even mild mental health problems.