It's sad that when I checked the news online this morning the first few stories were of violence. A person shot in the head on a Phoenix freeway. A violent attack on the protesters in North Dakota. A school shooting in Texas.
The last one got me.
We send kids to school to learn. It should be a safe place, and sadly, for many, school might be the safest place they go throughout the entire day. Until a shooting happens.
In nearly all of the school shootings (to date) there have been signs. There had been reports that the shooter needed help. That he or she was not 100% mentally stable. Although the facts of this shooting aren't out, I'd be willing to bet there were signs here, too.
The article quotes someone as saying, "This isn't supposed to happen in our community...we're a safe place"...where then, Mr. or Ms Quoter, is something like this supposed to happen? The answer? Nowhere.
I can see this as another opportunity for both the left and the right to get up on their stumps and argue for either stricter gun control, or, on the opposite side, the ability for everyone to conceal and carry. Sadly, I don't think either of those issues matter or would have prevented this from happening. The only thing that will happen is the real issue at hand will be buried by political bullshit..from both sides.
I believe changing the way Americans view mental healthcare is the solution.
Sadly, there is still a taboo around seeking care for your brain. If you broke your arm, no one would think less of you for seeing a doctor and getting a cast. A toothache, you head to the dentist. Makes sense doesn't it? You have an ailment and you go see someone who is trained in fixing it. So why do so many people think that seeing a counselor or therapist makes you broken, weak, or any other derogatory word?
What if seeking mental healthcare was as common as going to a doctor to get cold medicine? Would there be less violence? Probably.
Either way, the current state of things is just sad.
As you were.
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