School Shooting Newtown CT

[PiKA2001]

Originally Posted by ZTAngel

Absolutely they're to blame in this. They blockade any discussion that any politician in this country can have about gun-rights and how to prevent irresponsible people from getting a hold of one.

We do have laws in place that prevent irresponsible people from getting their hands on firearms. According to reports, this guy tried buying a gun last tuesday but wasn't able to because of.....yep, gun laws. CT has some pretty strict gun control laws in place as is, and the facts prove that stricter laws do not prevent random acts of violence like this. If you want to throw blame at people or groups other than the shooter why not the entertainment industry that glamorizes and desensitizes us to violence, or the health care industry that puts mental health issues aside, or this guys mother who failed to properly secure her firearms while living with a mentally disturbed son? Gun control is just one facet of these problems yet it seems like the only thing people want to talk about and politicize and push through. When it comes to violence, guns only make up the how and not the why and if we can't see past that we will continue to have these random rampages.

[AGDee]

Originally Posted by happilyanchored

There was a really great article posted today by the mother of a mentally ill child who has violent episodes.

I've seen a link that counters the reality of that first one.. the mom's blog. It is disturbing. http://sarahkendzior.com/2012/12/16/...read-her-blog/

Originally Posted by amIblue?

The state run facilities needed to be reformed no doubt, but to me, the lack of appropriate mental health care goes back to the state of the health care industry. Insurance carriers limit what they are willing to pay; therefore providers aren't able to sustain operations. Perhaps spending a bit more as a society on health care could not only make us all healthier, but safer in the long run.

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

...which is why people who can end up paying out of pocket to providers. Sometimes mental health care providers don't even take insurance. If they do, they might not be able to see you for months at a time, or might not be accepting new patients. The way mental health care in this country is addressed is shameful.

Insurance will pay for whatever your employer is willing for them to pay. They choose to skimp on that coverage. The state and community mental health systems, which treat people for free if necessary are seriously underfunded. I could go on a really rant on the mental health system. I quit working in the field because of the short lengths of stay for inpatients and the total frustration of not being able to give patients what they needed. We've pushed most of the seriously mentally ill into the prison system. It's totally ridiculous.