Connecticut Shooting Raises Mental Health Concerns In The Tri-State
By: Casie Mason
Updated: December 17, 2012
More details of the shooter's possible mental diagnosis are released, and now mental health is becoming a concern. Recent reports say the shooter might have had asperger's, a mild form of autism. Though they can not determine whether this plays an impact on the shooting, the right medical treatment and proper counseling possibly could.
Mental health is often hard to diagnose, especially when it starts in the home says local therapist Cecil Clifton. "You know your child better than anyone else and if there is a change in your child from how that child has been acting, then you need to look further into that." If the support is not there, then neither is the treatment. "You can give the push all you want to, but unless that person is willing to access the help, there is nothing more you can do." she adds.
Health companies advertise their medicine, but it takes more than just a pill. Clifton says, "A pill will fix everything and that is not the case. I'm fine. I don't need my medication. I don't have this diagnosis. This can be very difficult because then that person might be fine that day, but as time goes on these symptoms go back. That can be very difficult for that individual, and at times for society." Now the issue lies deeper as many never receive the care they need, in the time it is needed. "In this area, unless it's an emergency, it may be a while before you get an appointment with a psychiatrist."
Several local programs allow for affordable mental care, but sometimes its taking that first step in a society that may never understand. "There are people who want to go to these programs because they are reluctant to face the stigma we still have with mental illness people can be treated. They can go ahead and lead a fairly normal life and even succeed."
The Indiana State Hospital and Stepping Stone are all local entities that provide mental treatment in the Tri-State area.
Mental health is often hard to diagnose, especially when it starts in the home says local therapist Cecil Clifton. "You know your child better than anyone else and if there is a change in your child from how that child has been acting, then you need to look further into that." If the support is not there, then neither is the treatment. "You can give the push all you want to, but unless that person is willing to access the help, there is nothing more you can do." she adds.
Health companies advertise their medicine, but it takes more than just a pill. Clifton says, "A pill will fix everything and that is not the case. I'm fine. I don't need my medication. I don't have this diagnosis. This can be very difficult because then that person might be fine that day, but as time goes on these symptoms go back. That can be very difficult for that individual, and at times for society." Now the issue lies deeper as many never receive the care they need, in the time it is needed. "In this area, unless it's an emergency, it may be a while before you get an appointment with a psychiatrist."
Several local programs allow for affordable mental care, but sometimes its taking that first step in a society that may never understand. "There are people who want to go to these programs because they are reluctant to face the stigma we still have with mental illness people can be treated. They can go ahead and lead a fairly normal life and even succeed."
The Indiana State Hospital and Stepping Stone are all local entities that provide mental treatment in the Tri-State area.
Comments
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Michelle L.
December 18, 2012 at 4:04 pm
One of the major problems with mental health is community resources. People may be willing to get treatment/meds, but lack the money or places to do so. Sometimes the community mental health centers turn people away for inability to pay, therefore people become non-compliant and the cycle starts again.
Lori A.
December 17, 2012 at 7:22 pm
