We just do not get it!
I just finished
reading Associated Press writer Dan Elliott's article on the tragedy in Aurora Colorado;
"A year after the shooting, James Holmes
still an enigma". Instead of opening
my eyes to something new, it brought a sense of both frustration and of resignation
in that it focused only on James Holmes the Individual. Along with that, a
feeling of dejection because knowing that even after several high profile
tragedies, the public just does not have a firm grasp on the root causes and
what can be done to prevent future mass killings!
In this editorial,
Mr. Elliott tries to explain the question regarding how this seemingly intelligent
young man suddenly became a notorious killer. He went on to provide brief
glimpses into the little we do know about James Holmes, but not enough to
understand why he committed this atrocity. Here and now, I am going to provide
Mr. Elliott his answer and it is he did not just become this killer, it is
something he was born with which is severe mental illness. Additionally, the true culprit in this case is the American
people's accepting that people afflicted do not have the same social value as
the so-called, "normal people" possess!
The one area that
Mr. Elliot and others constantly ignore is that this country has a barbaric sense
in how to treat those with mental illness. We do not provide the necessary
treatment, or modernized laws that are needed to allow people the right to live
everyday fulfilling lives. None of that was pointed out in the column.
Additionally, in spite of that tragedy, and others such as the one in Tucson
Arizona, no significant changes have occurred to correct the inequities in the
mental health system.
To his credit, Mr. Elliott did explore a question that begs
answering, is that James Holmes made homicidal threats towards a Psychiatrist who
then properly reported them to the University of Colorado Denver campus police.
Here was an opportunity, within the confines of the archaic civil commitment
laws, to take him into custody and finally begin a mental health evaluation.
What is distressingly obvious is that this department never acted properly on
those threats. That campus police department has not answered that bombshell,
and unless there is a trial, they never will.
After this mass murder
unfolded in that theater, I wrote that it was imperative that we focus on the
causation factors in this case, not James Holmes himself. This young man was clearly
disturbed, and yet, few people took steps to support him with the seemingly
much needed help. Little had been made of the apparent symptoms that he
displayed even before he was reported as a potential homicidal man.
It must be pointed
out that I am not trying to victimize James Holmes, quite the contrary, he will
be punished to fullest extent of the law for his actions. However, I am putting
the mental health system on trial, and their failures deem a verdict of guilty
as charged. Complicit in this verdict is the political leaders across the
country from both parties. They have allowed people to live in appalling
conditions brought on by these afflictions, and in response, cut the budgets to
make treatment even more scarce for those in need. Instead of solutions, they
take the position that "never let a good tragedy go to waste" and
blame the other party for what happens. In this case, twelve people were killed
and seventy wounded.
During speeches, I have been asked, what can be done to protect
ourselves from people Like James Holmes and Jared Loughner, the gunman from the
Tucson Tragedy. My answer is direct to the key issue, take action before they
become psychotic killers. To begin with, we need to open the door for easier
civil commitment. Then provide the required number of facilities to support
that treatment, and finally, create more awareness of the symptoms of mental
illness to eventually remove the shameful stigma that acts like a Scarlett
letter on those who suffer in silence.
As easy as this sounds,
it is a monumental task to bring true change. In Ohio, efforts to expand the Medicaid
program to provide significantly more treatment for mental health care faces vigorous
and powerful opposition in Columbus. The indications are that, once again,
nothing of any substance will change, and people will be left desperately
searching for proper care.
One issue that
needs to highlighted is that generally, people with mental illness are not violent
homicidal maniacs which is how many are portrayed. In fact, only about ten
percent of all homicides are committed by people who are mentally ill. However,
ninety five percent of all suicides are directly linked to those afflicted with
mental illness.
As the one year
anniversary of this tragedy has now arrived, there will be renewed, but brief interest
in this case. Many will follow the lead of this Associated Press writer, and focus
on exploiting the perpetrator. What is failed to be mentioned is that the true enigma
is not people like James Holmes or Jared Loughner, it is the apathy and
ignorance of the American political leaders. They have floundered many
opportunities for change, and because of it, we await the next tragedy. Not if,
but when.
