Bob,
Thanks for your thoughts. You are right. We don't have real answers
for the mentally ill. What I mentioned regarding my sister, was the
short, sanitized version. There is not enough space for all of the
heartbreak and chaos caused by out-of-control behavior. Nor would it
serve any good purpose.
I personally believe that Humans are so complex that even with the
best of medical services, we will have a percentage of our population
living damaged lives. But that number could be dramatically reduced
if we put our efforts and dollars into Universal Care. Good diets for
our children, proper exercise, nurturing environment, crime-free
neighborhoods, good schools with enough teachers, a positive approach
to teaching rather than a negative one.
But that world would call on us to stand up and refuse to play the
game of the Empire any longer. That's so easy to say, but so hard to
do.
Carl Jarvis
On 10/15/15, Bob Hachey <bhachey@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Hi Carl,
So sad to here of the tragic life of your sister. I had a sister-in-law
with
some of the same issues. Not quite as dramatic as your sister, but close.
IT
included many ruined holidays, car accidents, court dates, etc.
No doubt that our system does a terrible job dealing with mental illness.
But, having experienced this stuff first hand, I'm not sure what kind of
system would suffice. Obviously, we need more funding for support systems,
but, given human nature, I fear that even with what looks to be a good
system, we will still fail both persons with mental illness and society
generally.
The toughest issues revolve around having someone committed to treatment
against his or her will. Certainly no easy ansers as a get tough policy
could be open to terrible abuse.
Perhaps it is that part of the anser lies in making major changes to our
mess up society such that people are under less stress.
Bob Hachey
