Fyi: Mental Health America Warns Pulbic to Avoid Diagnosing or Profiling Others

Contact: Heather Cobb, (703) 797-2588 or hcobb@mentalhealthamerica.net

Mental Health Warns Public to Avoid Diagnosing or Profiling Others as a Reaction to the Virginia Tech Shootings

A Statement by Dr. David Shern , Ph.D. Mental Health President and CEO



ALEXANDRIA, Va. (April 18, 2007) — The shootings at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University affects Americans across the nation. As individuals, campuses and communities come together to respond to this tragedy, Mental Health America (formerly known as the National Mental Health Association) warns the public – students, children, adults, educators and community leaders alike – to avoid diagnosing others with mental health problems or engaging in other “profiling.” Wondering or discussing classmates, neighbors and colleagues mental health or potential for violence is not a productive way to deal with feelings of anxiety and fear.

When disasters of any type occur many people react with a range of emotions – from anger, fear, depression and ‘numbness’; however, it is important to come together with friends and families to cope with these feelings productively and not begin diagnosing, profiling or asking ‘what if’ questions that can be damaging and counterproductive to improving feelings of wellbeing and community safety.

While it is important to share any suspicious incidents or behaviors with people in authority, this is a time to come together and support other students, friends and family members who may be struggling – rather than questioning their behaviors and possibly isolating others who are struggling with this tragedy.

If feelings are overwhelming, help and support is available. Mental Health can connect people with community resources and information. For information, please call 800-969-6642 or visit www.mentalhealthamerica.net.


Mental Health America is the country’s leading nonprofit dedicated to helping all people live mentally healthier lives. With our more than 320 affiliates nationwide, we represent a growing movement of Americans who promote mental wellness for the health and well-being of the nation – everyday and in times of crisis.

Contact: Heather Cobb , (703) 797-2588 or
hcobb@mentalhealthamerica.net



Mental Health Provides Guidelines to Help Students,
Parents and Educators Respond and Cope with the Virginia Tech
Shootings



ALEXANDRIA, Va. (April 17, 2007) — Mental Health
expresses its deepest sympathies to the family, friends and
classmates of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State
University shooting victims. As details surrounding the
shootings continue to unfold, Mental Health recognizes
that this tragedy affects people across the country. It
developed the below guidelines to help educators, students and
parents respond and cope with this tragedy. Individuals
looking for information and support can visit
www.mentalhealthamerica.net or call Mental Health at (800) 969-6642.


Tips for Educators


Communicate clearly the security measures in place and
the resources available for people who need help.
Since individuals contemplating violent acts often
communicate their intentions to friends and classmates, help
students develop a plan for what to do if they hear someone
planning a violent act.
Advertise the support services available at the student
mental health center and religious centers.
Develop special training for key personnel – resident
assistants, student health center staff, campus police,
sororities and fraternities – on how to respond to this
tragedy and help students cope.
Provide culturally relevant resources (e.g., bring in
ministers and others from the faith community).


Tips for Students


Develop a personal plan to ensure your safety in a
similar situation.
Use reliable sources to keep up-to-date on developments
and information.

Limit television viewing. It can be difficult to
process images and messages in news reports.

A range of emotions are normal following tragic events
– ranging from depression, anxiousness, anger and
‘numbness.’

If you feel depressed, anxious or angry, talk to
friends, family, ministers or others around you. Likely, those
around you are experiencing similar feelings.

If you feel overwhelmed by your emotions, seek help
from your school mental health center, call your local Mental
Health America Affiliate or visit
www.mentalhealthamerica.net to find help in your community.



Tips for Parents


Encourage your child to develop a personal safety plan.
Educate yourself on the disaster and communication
plans at your child’s school.
Keep dialogue open with your child – let him or her
know that you are there for them to talk through their
feelings.
Encourage your child to take action regarding their
school’s safety by sharing their concerns with university
officials.
Recognize that college-aged students may minimize their
concerns outwardly, but may become argumentative, withdrawn
or allow their school performance to decline. Allow them
room to react as they feel appropriate.

If you or your child feels overwhelmed by emotions –
such as depression, anxiety or anger – seek help or
support from a mental health professional or minister. For
assistance, contact your local Mental Health affiliate or
visit www.mentalhealthamerica.net.
Mental Health can help students, educators and parents
find community resources and information. For information,
please call 800-969-6642 or visit
www.mentalhealthamerica.net.

Mental Health America is the country’s leading nonprofit
dedicated to helping all people live mentally healthier
lives. With our more than 320 affiliates nationwide, we
represent a growing movement of Americans who promote mental
wellness for the health and well-being of the nation –
everyday and in times of crisis.

**Caveat: These "tips" are no substitute for medical advice and are not medical advice.** ef

:(

Let's be part of the solution. :(

Thanks for the suggestion!

I've heard the word used umpteen times to describe Cho, and how other students were creeped out by him. "Oh he was a loner...blahblahblah"

Some of my best friends are loners.

lol

:hi:

:toast:

Some Americans are "loners" by choice precisely because the culture is so violent/aggressive, the country is floating in easily obtainable guns and ammo, and so many people have little or no self-control.

of all that information gets invasive and overwhelming.

I'm reminded of a joke in the "Big Chill" - roughly:

"You know those rats we studied in college that went crazy with no privacy?"
"Did they live with you, too?"

It doesn't help when the government takes to fear-mongering, either.

"Failed joiners" want desperately to fit in, have friends, a sex life, etc., but they are too creepy/geeky/different/mentally ill for the general population to accept them as a part of the general population. Cho, with his simmering rage, his stalking of certain women, his photographing of female students in class, etc., was far too creepy to ever be accepted as one of the guys.

Loners, on the other hand, like being alone just fine, and don't generally hate people--they just don't care about human interaction that much. They are introverts who enjoy their own company best, and perhaps the company of a select few for friends and significant others. Most of the time they aren't involved enough with others to get mad enough at them to want to kill them, for example.

Cho, however, seems to have finally snapped after years of not being accepted by his peers as a regular guy. He WASN'T a regular guy, but he obviously thought he was. And he desperately wanted what he saw nearly everyone else had -- a normal college life.

If, somewhere during the course of his life, someone had simply accepted him for who he is, might the shootings have never occurred?

When things like this occur, I can't help thinking that we, as a society, are not blameless.

We have no mechanism that allows that correct assessment to turn into care.

We aren't blameless. :(

a dangerously mentally-ill young man. But there truly is no mechanism for committing someone like him to an institution since Reagan basically dismantled the pitifully inadequate mental health system we had in the 80's. I don't know anything about Cho's parents, other than they were reported to be devout Christians who wanted him to go to church with them, but I suspect they knew what he was like in HS and just couldn't bring themselves to do the right thing by having him committed and treated. It can be hard to tell a normal teen from a sick one because sometimes they ALL act nuts, but I would certainly worry if my son had NEVER had even ONE friend in HS. They may also have relied on their religion's "magic" to cure him, too, which is another whole reason to have saner heads in charge of evaluating mentally ill people.

than just his parents to observe, come to a conclusion and take action on his (and on the community's) behalf.

His neighbors, his teachers, his pastor, his whoEVER. His icecream man, his comic book vendor, his dealer, his QuickStop cashier.

That's one place where all of us can work to make these horrors less possible. Building community.

I think I was a "failed joiner."

Ask any of my college roommates.

I wasn't so creepy I suppose as :wtf:

And sometimes women would smile at me, which was always nice, even though I never really managed to actually date anyone in high school or college, well not really, although there were some women who kept me around sort of like they'd keep a big dog, go running with me, feed me, and throw tennis balls into the surf for me to chase, and other stuff.

Anyways, the point of this is that if we start fearing that any "loner" or "failed joiner" could "go off" or "snap" at any time, then we only create more misery for everyone especially the people these fears are projected upon.

I was always painfully aware that I didn't fit in even though I desperately wanted to.

:)

;)

as to the symptomatoly of the disorder.

The accounts of this guy's behavior have nothing at all in common with the diagnostic criteria, yet people are quick to jump and slap that label on him.

I'm glad MHA put these press releases out.

Thanks for this info.

:hi:

We really need to think this through because you know, FEMA won't, no one will.

the environment in this nation for those who do suffer mental problems has just taken another huge step backward, I'm afraid.

Rather than learning from the symptoms of this sick country, it's collective consciousness is becoming a bit more cruel since Monday morning.

We need less reactivity and more thoughtfulness.

Oh geeze.

There are times we are all to quick to judge others.

more productive -- like learning how to listen to distress. :hi:

It's a dangerous world for women these days.

most likely they all suffer from delusions of grandeur ;)

:)

They say the same thing after every one of these gun killing sprees.

I SAY: You see someone behaving as a danger to himself or others - REPORT IT NOW - NOT AFTER SOMEONE GETS KILLED!

Doug D.
Orlando, FL

If you believe everyone can suddenly become a psychiatrist and save the world from psychopaths, I believe a bunch of tech students can suddenly learn to defend themselves against a gunman. And you know what? They probably can't.

That guy should have been put away a long time ago, before he killed so many people.

And put all the people who voted for him in high security psycho wards too, maybe contract it out to the Russians, I'm sure they have room for all of them in Siberia.

And people from Florida too. Buncha wanabe Californians, them and their Orange Juice and Disneylands.

:P

and get their balance back.

If you believe someone needs help, report it. Do it now and do it as best as you can. I agree with that part, completely.

for the sanity...

As an Employee Assistance counselor, we had to deal with referrals from management sometimes based on the idea that an employee was acting "strangely" or "weird". In most cases, the individual wasn't behaving in accordance with the supervisor's view of how people should behave. They didn't attend the Birthday, Wedding, Birth, events much beloved by other employees and management. They dressed "weird". Or, the catch-all, they had a "bad-attitude".

In most cases we refused to take the referral. There were cases where people were, indeed, demonstrating behavior that could be considered threatening, abusive, or frightening. But, these cases were "work related" and the referrals were taken.

Just being out of the norm, a non-conformist, is not a sign of mental illness.

:rofl:

Well, I haven't had enough because I'm enrolling in a credentials prog in the Fall. Might as well put some of this "life experience" to work. That and my bad attitude. :)