General Discussion

Hi y'all. I've been lurking here for a little over a year but this finally gave me the kick in the butt that I needed to sign up so I could post.

Earlier today I shared this very article on Facebook, and I am so happy to come to DU and find you all talking about it too.

I could have written this article. I could be this mom. My now 19 year old son has a mental illness and his behavior is quite similar to her son's. And I have struggled to get help for him just like her. Its heart-breaking.

Every time something like the Sandy Hook tragedy happens I want to grab people by the lapels and scream at them, "Its not just guns! Its MENTAL ILLNESS!

These people need help. Their caregivers need help. Their teachers and principals and coaches and probation officers need help. Their pediatricians and school counselors need help. I needed help (still do to be honest). My son needs help. This mom and her son need help.

I don't know what the solution is but I know that we need to start talking about it. "Guns, guns, guns..." dominates the media coverage. Its a real hot-button issue that gets people riled up and gets ratings. And I think gun safety IS an important issue. But it really isn't THE issue.

The 500 pound gorilla that everybody pretends isn't in the room is MENTAL ILLNESS. We have to figure out something before her son or mine hurts themselves or does something as terrible as what happened at Sandy Hook Elementary.

Break the stigma. Mental illness is a disease, not a moral failing.

I'll get off my soapbox now. Thanks for reading.