Mental Health in America

This is horrifying to me.  My 16 year old son Matthew has Aspergers and while he can be a handful at times, he is a well behaved (most of the time, he can still throw a tantrum but nothing violent) and courteous young man.  What this mother has done and gone through horrifies me, especially as she cannot get the help she and her son DESPERATELY need.

Please click:

"In the wake of another horrific national tragedy, it’s easy to talk about guns. But it’s time to talk about mental illness.
Three days before 20 year-old Adam Lanza killed his mother, then opened fire on a classroom full of Connecticut kindergartners, my 13-year old son Michael (name changed) missed his bus because he was wearing the wrong color pants.

“I can wear these pants,” he said, his tone increasingly belligerent, the black-hole pupils of his eyes swallowing the blue irises.

“They are navy blue,” I told him. “Your school’s dress code says black or khaki pants only.”

“They told me I could wear these,” he insisted. “You’re a stupid b***h. I can wear whatever pants I want to. This is America. I have rights!”

“You can’t wear whatever pants you want to,” I said, my tone affable, reasonable. “And you definitely cannot call me a stupid b***h. You’re grounded from electronics for the rest of the day. Now get in the car, and I will take you to school.”

I live with a son who is mentally ill. I love my son. But he terrifies me."

The parents of these children have to deal with such things on a daily basis.  And to be told by the functionaries who are supposed to help, that nothing can be done.  Unless, their child can be arrested for a crime.  WHAT!?!?

There are many people with mental illness and disabilities who function in this society with proper treatment.  

GET HIM ARRESTED!?!?

HOW!!  How is that going to HELP!??

There are programs if someone is charged with a crime, but not if they aren't?  How about we help them before so they DON'T COMMIT A CRIME?!!!!

A crime which may be violent, in which people could be hurt or killed.

What has happened to our laws that a person who needs help cannot get it unless and until they break the law, and possibly hurt someone?

And the politicians, special interest groups and the media say "BAN THE GUNS!!!"

How about instead of wasting money on ANOTHER law that won't help, we spend that money on getting the people the help the actually need?


H/t DrewM at Ace