Joan Beck’s column concerning our society’s denial of mental illness is long overdue (Commentary, July 30). I think the tragedy occurred in the Capitol for a reason. Perhaps now our elected officials will pause and take notice and use this as an opportunity to step up to the plate and do the courageous thing regarding mental illness and gun control.
I have two children who suffer from this devastating illness. Having to cope every day with the difficulties of trying to function while in the grips of these disorders is a monumental task. But add to that society’s cruel attitude that seems to place blame on the victim and/or their family serves to increase the burden. My daily anxiety for my children is only overshadowed by the lost dreams for the lives I imagined for them, to say nothing of the dreams they had for themselves.
We as a society lend little or no support to people who have been dealt a very large cross to bear. Medications were and continue to be a significant step; however, they don’t help everyone, and the side effects can be overwhelming to someone who is not feeling balanced at the outset.
Our jails are full of the mentally ill because we choose not to confront this tragic human condition for what it really is–a brain disorder, not a character defect.
