Mindy McCready; a sad but inevitable end!

     In 2006, while speaking to a group of nursing students, one of them asked me about a country western singer named Mindy McCready and her increasingly maladaptive behavior. Since I had never heard of her, the student went on to describe her mental health and drug issues, and how it derailed her once promising career. It was on that day I began to pay close attention to this famous artist.

     Tragically, with all that I learned about her life, it came as no shock when I recently discovered that she finally succeeded in killing herself with a gunshot wound to her head. Immediately, I pulled out a file that I have accumulated on her, and went straight to a CNN.com story from July 18, 2006. It was one that discussed her recent arrest for a DUI. On the bottom, I made an ominous prediction when I wrote, "this will have a bad outcome". Even back then, I believed that she would die prematurely from either a drug overdose or by her own hands. I  hoped that I would be wrong, but with her outward behavior, I knew that was unlikely.

     A close examination of her life is what made that prediction so easy to make. She hit the pinnacle of her career at a remarkably young age and from that point, began her downhill spiral. Her first album took Nashville by storm, but she was unable to sustain her success. After that, mental illness, drug and alcohol addiction, domestic abuse and family dysfunction followed her every move.

      When others reflect back on her life, they discover that she was a metaphor for being "used and abused." As a teenager, she had an alleged affair with former major league baseball star Roger Clemons, a married father of two. Though he denies those claims, Roger Clemons can best be described as having questionable integrity. Add to that arrests for drugs issues, DUI's, prescription fraud, plus she was once beaten so severely by a boyfriend that he was charged with attempted murder, and her demise became quite clear.  Embarrassingly, another former boyfriend released an unauthorized sex tape of her, and with so much misery accumulating, there was now a recipe for disaster.

     It is common knowledge that all the love in the world does not cure a chemical imbalance, so it can be added that fame and wealth also fail as a treatment mechanism. No matter what Mindy McCready accomplished, she could not escape her inner demons, which were always present and grew stronger over time. However, she did not go down without a fight, as on more than one occasion, she checked herself into rehabilitation to try and control her condition. However, she could never overcome what was torturing her, and apparently, she did not continue her treatment as prescribed.

     Another person who did manipulate her was one that used therapy as a rouse to entice her and others on television. She was exploited on a show called "Celebrity Rehab" with someone named Dr. Drew. He brought her and others on a show to pour their hearts out as a way to exorcise their demons. Sadly, it was more  exploitation for ratings than anything else.  It bears mentioning that five individuals who appeared on that show over a two year period have ended their lives by suicide, and the idiot doctor still defends his methods. Those comments alone are proof that stupidity knows no bounds.

     It should come as no surprise that if a person attempts suicide, that individual is highly likely to try it again, and she contributed to that statistic. There were four other documented attempts, three by pills and one by slashing her wrists. All ended with short stays in a rehab facility, and failed to stop Mindy from continuing her degenerating condition. That alone is evidence that she was planning her exit strategy years before she finally succeeded. It was as if, like many others, she kept reaching for help and was never able to find that metaphorical life preserver.

     It is difficult to see what was the last stressor that caused her to end her life. It is evident that the death of her boyfriend a month before in a similar fashion was the final tipping point, but the seeds of this destruction were planted many years ago. It must be added that as of now, the police are treating his death as suspicious, and Mindy McCready was questioned several times. Though it appears to be a suicide, this impression of being involved with possible foul play could have contributed to her already fragile emotional state.

     One point must be made. Most suicides are not the result of one specific incident, rather, it is the culmination of a series of events. Keep in mind these factors can be real or fictitious because that person is cursed with clouded thinking. Over time, these events tend to add up until the individual can find no way to end their suffering, which leads to such tragic outcomes. The best comparison is a boxer getting battered with body punches until it finally breaks them down, rather than one large knockout punch.

     One other issue bears mentioning. It is not common knowledge that the first two weeks after leaving a hospital for a mental health crisis are a critical time. This is a period when there is a high risk for suicide, and there are many theories for this phenomenon. My impression is that a hospital provides a protective shield from reality; the walls are there to stop the demons from invading the mind of its targets. Once that person leaves the hospital, it is as if time stood still on the outside, and the emotional malignancy that drove them to seek treatment is there waiting to resume its attack. If the individual is not prepared to accept  this realism, the truth can be overwhelming, and have catastrophic results.  It appears that this could have contributed to her death as she killed herself 11 days after her release.

     Society tends to judge people who die of suicide in a demeaning fashion. People have already judged Mindy McCready unfairly and with condemnation. I have read where some said that she wasted her life and threw it all away, meaning her fame and talent. What these individuals fail to understand is that addiction and mental illness are sadistic and traumatic conditions. Like everyone else afflicted, she had to wake up every morning and start her day by battling her inner pain. It is a struggle that cannot be understood by anyone who has not suffered as many people do so in silence.

     In the end, she joined an unending line of people who finish their lives as a way to escape the pain they suffer. I have written about many, a young girl from Vermillion Ohio, a successful businessman from Elyria, and the son of a Super Bowl winning head coach. Tragically, this list will continue to grow, until we as a society begin to develop a concerted effort and investment in treating and understanding these disorders. So far societies track record is decidedly limited, and the future does not appear any brighter. Rest in Peace Mindy McCready!

Politics 1 Real Solutions 0

     As the fog of shock from the December tragedy in Sandy Hook school in Connecticut begins to vanish, we witness cries for reform that are best described as the theater of the absurd. Instead of searching for avenues to prevent future tragedies, this country's leaders are once again pointing fingers of blame at the wrong people. One group clearly singled out, the National Riflemen's Association (NRA), has been disgustingly compared to the NAZI's. This in spite of knowing that its members are for the most part, hardworking, law abiding citizens. However, that is only the tip of the iceberg of stupidity.

     On a personal note, I have been speaking out for years about substandard care in the mental health system. In this tragedy, like others in Tucson Arizona, Aurora Colorado, and on the campus of Virginia Tech University, mental illness was the nucleus of the cause. To be more specific, it is a system ravaged by budget cuts, reduction in the number of beds, and in many cases, scarce available treatment.  Once again, these misunderstood disorders are getting a vast deal of attention, but it is evident that it is the mentally ill themselves are being made the scapegoats, and not the failing system. It does not require a great deal of searching to discover proof of that wrongful indictment.

     Not long ago, Juan Williams, a Liberal Fox news correspondent made a comment that only added to the hysteria on this emotionally charged issue. He said, "If you have a mentally ill family member, the government shouldn't let you have a gun." This was on top of the startling announcement by NRA President Wayne LaPierre, who is now advocating  "a national registry of those with mental illness" be established to make us feel safer. Both have shown a remarkable lack of  awareness of mental illness, and their proposals just marginalize those who suffer in silence. These comments, which border on bigotry, play well with ignorant people, but do nothing but add to the burden that the stigma of these afflictions create.

     Not to be outdone for attention, Vice President Joe Biden added to this madness of stigmatizing those with mental illness by declaring that people afflicted cannot be trusted. He proposed that there should be a mental health check for everyone who owns a gun. Though he used this as a forum to garner support from a fringe element of society, it once again, degrades everyone who suffers from these malady's. This coming from a man who once had to drop out of a race for President because he plagiarized his speeches. Simply, he stole the work of others.

    I have heard and read many different newfangled solutions to this situation, but many seem to  fall just short of sewing a "Star of David" on the clothes of those suffering with mental illness. Sadly, it is not that much of an exaggeration to believe that is what these "three stooges", Biden, Williams and LaPierre  seem to be advocating. Next, I am anticipating the call to round up mentally ill individuals, and march them into a resettlement camp. After all, that was what a former mayor of Avon Lake Ohio once wanted to champion.

     Illuminating these individuals lack of coherence, is none seem to understand that no visible lines can be drawn as to where mental illness begins and ends. No true test exists that can be given to diagnosis someone; it is simply a syndrome of symptoms. These individuals live by the motto, never let facts stand in the way of a good headline!

     Now, focusing on the real issue, the problems in the mental health system are no secret and have been known for quite some time. It is the lack of proper funding and laws that have been in need of updating for several generations. It is also the broken promises from deinstitutionalization. However, with each tragedy, the calls for reform are almost always ignored, or placated with minor corrections that do not require significant increased expenditures. However, this is a time for some genuine dialogue and corrections, not stupidity being lead by the likes of the Joe Biden's.

     With his recent proposals, President Obama's approach to this issue was to make tokenistic gestures on improving access to mental health care. It is clear that these minor changes are nothing more than a way to camouflage his true obsession, which is gun control. Much worse, his uncalled for attacks on specific media outlets and NRA members do nothing but inflame opposition to any real conversation that could bring positive results.   

     Recently, I contacted the offices of Senators Sherrod Brown and Rob Portman, and Congressman Jim Renacci. I asked one question, which was "Since tragedies in Tucson Arizona, Aurora Colorado, and now Newton Connecticut, why are there no proposals to overhaul and repair the mental health system?"  I did receive statements from both Senators press secretaries, but never received a response from Congressman Renacci's office.

     Senator Brown's office wrote about being a father and grandfather and how this tragedy in Connecticut affected him. One comment did stand out. He said, "we must start a sensible dialogue about gun safety in our communities, and reexamine our mental health system."

     Though his words sound promising, my question to Senator Brown is; How can we have a sensible dialogue on mental illness and guns, when so many outrageous comments are being made, specifically on the liberal left? A notable example is actress Marg Halgenberger, who wished through her twitter account that members of the NRA get shot! Add to that the racist comments made by political exploiter Michael Moore who said, "Calm down white people and put your guns down!" Instead of condemning these useless idiots, and opening the door to a real conversation, we have only silence from Senator Brown's side of the political spectrum.

     Senator Portman said, "He supports a commission to examine and report on the root causes of tragic incidents like the horrific school shootings." My response to him is clear. We do not need a self-serving commission to tell us what is wrong. It is the dismantling of the mental health system that is the main culprit. He also ignores that two of his supporters here in Ohio, Speaker of the House William Batchelder and State Representative Nan Baker are two of the most complicit architects in the destruction of Ohio's Mental Health system. If Senator Portman is serious about correcting the failures, he needs to start by condemning the arrogant behavior of these two individuals, who represent the political right.

     For these political leaders, I do present two solutions, and hopefully, there will some real actions and dialogue, but if history is any indicator, that is highly unlikely to occur.

     Assisted outpatient treatment was the catalyst for the failed deinstitutionalization in the early 1960's. This was the idea that people could be released from long term facilities and have community centers available for them to have their treatment monitored. It bears mentioning that the Democratic party, who ran all branches of government at the time, never supplied these promised facilities, and the patients were eventually left to fend for themselves. This led us down the path to the current crisis in the mental health system, which is increased  homelessness, suicides, and aforementioned tragedies. Though long overdue, it is time for the promises made in the 1960's to be finally realized!

     Next on the agenda should be to modernize the laws regarding civil commitment. Under current statutes, unless the individual is an immediate threat to themselves or others, there is no legal avenue to have them forced into treatment. In the murderous rampage in Tucson Arizona, the perpetrator, Jared Lee Loughner had a history of severe mental illness. Shortly after the killings, it was discovered that his family attempted on more than one occasion, to force him into needed treatment. However, they were unable to do so because the laws allow people like him to walk around in a delusional state. Now Loughner is receiving needed treatment while he is doing a life sentence for the killing of six people, and wounding twelve others. With modern civil commitment laws, it is likely that his parents could have had him in a hospital receiving treatment, thus avoiding this tragedy. Ironically, there has been nothing but silence on this aspect of that tragedy.

     The proposals that I have put forward are ones that have been discussed at length by many advocates, and have been largely ignored by  political leaders. Just imagine what would happen if we did embrace these changes. We would see less homelessness, fewer suicides, less family dysfunction, reduced disability, and yes, we would diminish the likelihood of future tragedies. What a novel idea, real solutions to real problems! When was the last time we witnessed that from this country's political leaders?

Newton, Connecticut; How about disease control instead of gun control?

     As soon as I heard the shocking news from Newtown, Connecticut, many of my thoughts turned to my great-nephew, Kai (Kaien) This beautiful child, whom I love dearly, is just a few years younger than the 20 victims in this mass killing. As the story unfolded from Sandy Hook elementary School, I, like many others, became overwhelmed with empathy for the parents that had sent their kids off to school that morning; and would now, instead of planning a celebration of Christmas,  began the process of planning their funeral's. No one can understand their grief.  I noticed many of my friends who have young children, finding comfort by hugging them and being grateful for what they have.  

     Since the victims were so young, this will have a lasting impact on psych of this country and will command calls for fundamental change. Sadly, the changes called for will be the ones that are politically expedient not ones that will create a significant transformation. If history is any indication, and it usually is, after several months of political posturing and exploitation, little meaningful changes will result from this atrocity.

     One common thread that is prevalent about the perpetrator of this carnage, 20 year old Adam Lanza, is that he was mentally unstable. Though all the facts are not currently known, it stands to reason that he had some mental health issues as clear minded people simply do not snap and go on mass killing sprees. Though it is still speculation, it is being reported that the mother of this young man, was in the process of having him committed for psychiatric treatment. Certainly all the hallmarks of a disorder were there, and in the coming months, we will get a better grasp of what was occurring in his life that led to this outcome.

      However, what needs to be examined is the current mental health system in Connecticut. This will allow us a clearer picture of what families face in acquiring treatment and proper care for their loved ones.

     As we delve into Connecticut's mental health system, some particularly ominous signs of an outdated and discriminatory structure emerge. This is not saying that this position directly caused this massacre, but again, it illuminates the many problems with the lack of readily available treatment programs that have contributed to many other tragedies.

     According to the Mental Illness Policy. Org, Connecticut is one of only six states that do not incorporate the court and mental health system with regards to civil commitment and compulsory treatment. Specifically, it refuses to allow the courts to mandate that mentally ill individuals, who have a history of violence, must stay in treatment as an alternative to incarceration. Since these individuals will eventually be released into society, this contributes to higher recidivism rates at a cost to the taxpayer. Additionally, it handcuffs the capacity for family members to compel their delusional loved ones into treatment. Once again, this archaic thinking is in dire need of updating.

     Additionally,  this report spotlighted that Connecticut is 850 mental health beds short of the minimum required to provide adequate treatment for its citizens. This in spite of the knowledge that the average household income in that state of $69,243, is over 30% higher than the rest of the country. It is shocking that the political leaders in that state do not realize that the cost of not treating people, means higher incarceration rates, which is ultimately where individuals will receive treatment. Again, this added burden is borne by the taxpayers.

     One indicator of a troubling system is the prevalence of depression, compared with the suicide rate. Though no one has examined this since this massacre, it invites exploration. Though Connecticut ranks 38th in  the volume of Clinical Depression,  shockingly, it has the 8th highest suicide rate. With the distance between these two figures, it is as if both are outliers of each other, rather than running more parallel. This is another indicator of a system in need of substantial changes as it is clear that there is inadequate treatment. However, the Democratically controlled legislature has not shown the courage to address these shortcomings.

     As an example, earlier this year, the Legislature, proposed to reform the civil commitment laws and ultimately change the "assisted outpatient treatment" program. This would allow the courts and family members the latitude needed to drive treatment and make civil commitments much easier. This time, the ultra liberal organization, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), became a powerful roadblock to this legislation, describing it as a violation of one's freedoms. This group believes that individuals have a right to walk around in a delusional state, identical to the way recent mass killers have done. For some unexplained reason, they refuse to understand that this illness damages the ability for one to make rational decisions, and the afflicted does not even realize that they are sick! With that opposition, the needed updates were never implemented, and the bill expired.

     During the last seven years, we have witnessed horrific attacks in Red Lake Minnesota, Northern Illinois University, Virginia Tech, Tucson Arizona, Aurora Colorado, and now Newton Connecticut.  Collectively, ninety people were murdered in these shootings, and dozens more wounded. In each case, we hear calls for political leaders to implement solutions to prevent these tragedies. Instead, we find only pointing fingers of blame and exploitation the resulting actions. Once the story gets stale in the minds of the citizenry; the politicians and media transfer on to other stories, with no significant change occurring.

     It is not only these high profile tragedies that we witness and this area was not immune to the failures of the system. Locally, two police officers, Jason West of Avon, and James Kerstetter of Elyria were gunned by mentally ill individuals who could be poster children for the overburdened mental health system. Add to these alarming statistics is that we have recently witnessed suicides in Vermillion, Avon Lake, Wakeman, Elyria, Medina and Amherst, to name a few. Many were teenagers, and this again, is ample evidence of a system falling under the consequence of severe budget cuts.

    After the killings in Tucson, the Tea Party and Sarah Palin became the media's convenient scapegoats.  In fact, Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown was one of many that berated groups such as these for inciting violence! In time, as the facts became known, the perpetrator of that act, Jared Lee Loughner, was found to be mentally ill with no political agenda. He was one that the ACLU believed had a right to walk around in a psychotic state. With that, he became a graduate of the failed mental health system with Senator Brown a willing witness of its destruction.

     In the past year, I have contacted Senator Brown's office several times to find out what he has done to deal with correcting these failing underfunded programs, and open a dialogue on mental illness. The answer I received on each occasion is that they would contact me in two weeks. To date, his staff has not responded in any way, and with his recent re-election, it is unlikely they ever will.

     With this tragedy in Connecticut, the national spotlight is focusing on an organization that many believe is at fault, the National Riflemen's Association (NRA). Now groups are saying it is guns, and that the NRA advocates violence. In fact, there is a left wing organization, CREDO Mobile that marched on the NRA office in Washington to draw attention to this very issue. It must be pointed out that if these misguided individuals want to witness violence being advocated, they should read the lyrics to many rap songs, or view many violent movies coming out of Hollywood. However, that falls outside the realm of their political motives.

     To draw a comparison, on the same day of this horrific killing spree, Chicago, which boasts one of the nation's toughest gun control laws, reported ten shootings, including four teenagers. In this calendar year alone, Chicago's homicide rate will likely top 500.  Armed with this information, I think it may be more prudent for these marchers to rally in front of the homes of the drug dealers, and gang leaders in Chicago who are committing these atrocities. With that, they can demand that they disarm, and see what response they receive. It bears adding, like the perpetrators in all the other recent mass killings, none of the triggermen belonged to the NRA. 

     Michael Moore, a political exploiter chimed in with the most vile comments, "The NRA hates freedom. They don't want you to have the freedom to send your children to school and expect to come home alive." He forgets that NRA members are good hardworking, taxpaying, family members. Never fret, Michael Moore will create something that he will refer to as a documentary, twist facts,  and make millions of dollars off this massacre. After which, he will rile against the capitalistic pigs who seem to concern themselves with nothing more than profiteering at the expense of others.

     People are entitled to their views, and that is what makes this countries freedoms second to none. However, we spend time labeling people with empty comments, which hinders the nation's  ability to develop solutions to complex problems. In the past, because of my advocacy for treatment and suicide prevention, I have been described as a left wing lunatic. At other times, as I spell out that guns are not the cause of tragedies, nor is the Tea Party to blame for any recent solar flare activity, I  become known as a right wing fanatic.

     After the murders in Tucson, there were calls for a "National Dialogue on Mental Illness,"  to find solutions to all the direct and indirect deaths, and to prevent them from reoccurring. I have not witnessed one member of the national media reminding the world of this and ask political leaders why this public debate never occurred. Perhaps, if we had this conversation, the leadership in Connecticut would have decided that it is time to bring their system from the 19th century thinking into the 21st!

     The disgusting actions of the national media, their reluctance to connect these tragedies with  mental health deficiencies, and the insults from idiots like Michael Moore do not bring prevention. They just cover up failures and deflect actions that may injure their political agenda. Because of that, real solutions will continue to elude us as more suicides and tragedies such as this one will repeat themselves.

     So many people fail to understand, or choose not too, is that no one can legislate human behavior. What must be done is that we need to treat the disorders that control its target, which a sick mind. The only way to do that is to begin to renovate this nations laws on civil commitment, make treatment available, and for political leaders to stop making false scapegoats.  In other words, let us begin that national dialogue! Are you listening Senator Brown?    

Suicide touches Elyria Schools

     Recently, a tragedy occurred when a school board member in Elyria ended his life by his own hands.  Richard Kaplan, a family man, and successful business person died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, leaving behind a wife and three children. Sadly, he became part of an ever increasing group of people who end their lives with this method. People will wonder why, and though he and I never met, we did share a common bond which may be the true culprit, mental illness. I also must  include because he was honest about his struggle with depression, people should remember Mr. Kaplan as a generous man.

     In a conversation with Elyria School Board President Evelyn France, she describes Mr. Kaplan as an active member of the community, who did a vast deal of work for the schools long before he was elected as a  member of the board. She added that he was also an enterprising member of the business community and the local Rotary Club.

     Mrs. France also went on to say  "the Elyria School system is like a family, and they are mourning the loss of a family member."  She described Rich as a humble, straightforward, and honest person, who never looked for any praise. He was exceedingly giving to his community, and it was obvious she had the utmost respect for him.

    Because of the common affliction, I wish I would have met Mr. Kaplan. Currently, his family is grieving their loss, and my heart and prayers go out to them. Many people will ask an elementary question, specifically, why did he do this?  I cannot represent exactly what was the causation of this tragedy, but I can give the public a first person narrative as to what he faced because I also tried on several occasions to end my life.

     In over five hundred talks that I have given on this subject, I keep hearing the same questions. One that is the most common is, what caused me to decide to end my life? Just like the question, my answer is clear, but at the same time, very complex. I include in my response the one word that only people who suffer from one of these disorders can comprehend, "Pain!"

     The emotional pain that is the result of mental illness is the most grievous feeling that anyone can imagine. If a person has never felt it, he or she cannot understand the damage that is inflicted in someone's life from this invisible torment. When the symptoms are active, they define every aspect of the victims lives, and at times, it is as if the person is in a constant conflict with their disorder. Like many others, Mr. Kaplan had to wake up, accept that he has this disease, and fight either the demons or the ever present threat of their return.

     Like Mr. Kaplan, I served public office, three terms Brunswick City Council, I was on the board of the Local United Way, Jaycees and Kidney foundation, among other activities. During my life, I spent years hiding the malady out of fear that it would be discovered and others would think less of me. Also, I was in denial of my condition, and its life threatening capabilities. In time, it destroys a person's self-worth as it did mine. Because of its relentless nature, it pursues its prey until treated, or destroys its target either figuratively, or literally.

     In May of 2001, on the campus of Lorain County Community College in, ironically, Elyria, security personnel stumbled on me as I was found unresponsive from a suicide attempt. Though the actual act occurred on that day,  it was the beginning of the end of a long battle against the unyielding pain brought on by bipolar disorder. It was the culmination of ferocious psychological battering that ultimately consumed me. What no one knew is that, for many years, I struggled  with suicidal ideation. Additionally, I was in a constant battle with my sub-conscious, which was being monopolized with fatalistic thoughts. Plus, it reminded me that death was the only way to end my constant pain. With my self-worth at zero, I could never see beyond my symptoms and seek the appropriate treatment.

     On the day I took enough pills to kill me, and ran out of the house, it was almost a relief to know that my pain was now going to leave. I had no clue that the cause of my suffering was a treatable disease and that I could be free of the morbid thoughts with proper treatment. Also, I could not envision that once I defeated the illness, there could be a happy life ahead of me. If it had not been for two heroic police officers on the campus of LCCC, I would have never lived to see the life I love today.

     Whenever there is a tragedy such as this one, I hear some, not so witty comments from weak minded individuals. One is that a person chooses to end their life!. The other, it is a permanent solution to a temporary problem!

     First off, no one chooses to end their life! The public needs to understand that It is an illness  which is the basis for this current tragedy; he did not choose this course of action. No one truly wants to die, they just want the pain from their illness to end!  Also, we do not decide on a whim, to generate these disorders, anymore then someone who develops, cancer, diabetes, or heart disease. It is a deadly, misunderstood disease that enters a life uninvited! It is also one that comes with a dark stigma attached.    

     Secondly, the classic statement that it is a permanent solution to a temporary problem, infuriates me. When I hear this, I want to shout out; the problems are not the causes, it is the disease that leads to someone's death. The  symptomology is what compels people to commit this act, not some ordinary disputes or concerns. This statement falls under the ignorance many display towards these afflictions

     Both of these visceral comments explain the lack of awareness and understanding of mental illness being the causation of suicide. It shows that, as a society, we have a long way to go in grasping the information needed to prevent tragedies such as this one. That is part of the reason why the number of situations like this are ever increasing.

     It is essential to point out one other issue, which is the stigma of being branded mentally ill. Many people like me and others stand in testimony to the idea that the stigma and its accompanying bigotry are significantly worse than the illness itself. After all, I speak from firsthand experience that it is not pleasant be known as being out of control and crazy, the way some people still describe me to this very day. This occurs in spite of my successes and the knowledge that I have been symptom free for eleven years. One characterization of mental illness is that many people spend an enormous amount of effort seeking external validation, but because of the  stigma, many times they fall short of that acceptance. It is only with a greater amount of knowledge and education that this dehumanizing practice can this be alleviated.

     Confucius once said, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step!" I  hope the Elyria school system pays homage to Mr. Kaplan by taking that first step in creating a means to create awareness, compassion and empathy for those similarly afflicted. Reach out to students, and others who are suffering and in need of intervention. Use this to help cut down the curtain of degradation of mental illness, just like this school board member attempted to accomplish with his openness. This can be a way to influence others out of the shadows of ostracism and let them know they are part of a family that cares! This can also open doors for people to seek treatment, and not feel any shame  nor a need to apologize for having one of these disorders.

    Mr. Kaplan faced his illness with openness, dignity, and candor, and he leaves an indelible mark on his community. He did not lose a battle it was an illness ended his life. He did not take an easy way out as some think suicide is, he fought a courageous battle against a silent killer. People like him pave the way for understanding of mental illness and his actions in life will help protect future sufferers. His family should be immensely proud of the way he lived, and no one has a right to question or judge his final actions. There is no greater adulation then to be helpful to others, and that is the greatest way to honor the memory of this good man. Once again, everyone's thoughts and prayers  should be to his family and friends.