Are the shootings at V Tech a sign of problems in our methods of treatment of mental health?

Question

If a person in America suffers a heart attack, people rush to the rescue. Help is instantaneous.
Mental health problems are a different matter altogether.
Having suffered from depression myself, I can say it is very difficult to get help. It can take weeks, even months, just to get to see a doctor. There is no emergency centers for people with mental health issues. No one comes to the rescue.
People with mental health issues are looked down upon even at hospitals.
Anyone who has suffered a mental health issue knows there comes a point where you need help right away. Oftentimes, that help cannot be found. Touchy feely crisis hotlines are of little help.
Is it time to consider emergency responders for mental health in this country, as well as physical health? Would this help avoid future tragedies like V Tech?

Does it infringe on someone's rights when a rescue squad come to treat a heart attack?
Many people who have mental health problems know they need help and can't find it.
Many people develop mental health problems in the course of their life and realize something is wrong. It is those people who find it difficult to get help.

You can't imagine what it's like to be suicidal, try and find help, and get nowhere.
It drives you deeper into the feeling that no one cares. It brings you closer to the edge.

Answer 1

Very well could be, it does seem like people with mental problems are under looked. I hope you don't take this as an offense, but do you ever ask or answer non-political questions? Just wondering.

Answer 2

I definately think that if someone sees a potential problem with a person possibly being mentally ill that there should be some way or something they can do about it, but with political correctness it's hard to determine without seeming discriminitory about it.

I suffered through my childhood with a father that was mentally ill and there was nothing we could do about it because he, like many other mentally ill people, didn't think there was anything wrong with him, that it was everyone else that had the problem. You can't infringe on their rights and commit them to a hospital, or even the police, leaving you between a rock and a hard place.

Sorry I don't have a better answer for you, I really don't see a solution without infringing on the rights of the person in question.

Answer 3

Our healthcare system for NON mental health patients is terrible, forget the mentally ill ones. There are crazy people like these shooters all over the world.The problem is that it is harder for them to access guns, so they have a difficult time to carry out such attacks. I think a constitutional change is needed.The second amendment was made when the people could overthrow the government. I don't think even 300 million guns in the hands of fat rednecks can stop the US military. But guns cannot be banned either.There would be many people who would refuse and we would have millions more in prison. These mass shootings will continue.I don't see any way out of it.

Answer 4

America actually has no emergency help for mental health problems?I think any society needs that,I agree totally with what you are saying.
Do think this is part of what can be done to create a climate where a tragedy as this is less likely to happen,less likely.I don't think any one action can bring a quick fix here but this one surely would do a lot of good.

Answer 5

Absolutely.

But this is a highly complex issue.

Parents need to be the first responders to their children's mental health needs. And I think our society is too hard on parents who do so. Also, I think parents are hesitant to put a permanent blotch on their child's records for something they may be over-reacting about (or something the child may out-grow).

The key, I think, is more privacy with mental health. And greater insurability.

I haven't seen anyone criticize the insurance industry for their draconian methods involving mental health treatment, and it's time.

In answer to your question, people can call 9-11. Unfortunately, the first responders are often the police, who are trained to collar criminals, not provide mental health assessments.

Answer 6

I never want to speak to a mental health professional again they were leading like in a court trail to find a mental illiness and did not listen to me and disrespected my system of mores and faux paus and I personally hope they are forced to take the posion they give out.

All it does is make the problems generally attacks to be worse for you are unable to defend yourself.

I am a symptom of a larger problem a violent, greedy under educated mass of GIMME GIMME GIMME SOB'S who expect me to do the work for their benefit.

That is what is insane in this nation,

Plus bonus I was robbed while medicated and violated by a contractor who was also trying to steal from me.

Pyschology is not a science because it does not produce double blind study results so it's VODOO as much as a Chicken foot and it's curse.

Answer 7

Actually, I have responded to many a mental health crisis. From attempted suicides, to extremely depressed people, to the very extreme psycho people.

Most of them, we take to the hospital. The most irritating thing about dealing with these patients though is the line that most of them give me: "You don't believe me" or "You don't think this is serious" I RESPONDED, DIDN'T I?!!!!

I am a volunteer firefighter/EMT that took time away from my job to go and help you out. Be grateful.