Under Construction - MHWA Retreat

Just my opinions, no research or anything like that was used in my writing because it is just my opinion.

The topic for this week is stigma after violence. Questions to think about when answering:
Have you ever personally felt stigmatized for your mental health issues following a violent event? Have you ever read something online or been told something in person that made you feel discriminated against after a violent event?
The governor of Florida this week asked, “How do we make sure that individuals with mental illness do not touch a gun?” If you have a mental health diagnosis, how does that statement make you feel?
Around 14 hours after this week's shooting, President Trump tweeted: "So many signs that the Florida shooter was mentally disturbed..." How does this make you feel? Do you think it's too soon to comment on the perpetrator's mental health? If so, how long should they wait? Do you feel it's justified and a reasonable statement? If so, what would you say to those who feel stigmatized by it?
How should public officials go about discussing mental health issues related to violent events? Are they doing a good job? Could they do better? If so, how?
Do you personally believe that mental illness IS to blame for the majority of violent events? Can someone be a mass murderer WITHOUT being mentally ill? What is your opinion here?
Generally speaking, do you believe that events like this cause further discrimination against mental health issues, and if so, what could be the result of that discrimination?
***NOTE: This week's discussion is NOT a gun debate. This is NOT a political debate. This is NOT a religious debate. The purpose is to see how mental health sufferers and advocates feel about stigma following violent events.

*************************************************************************

**Do you personally believe that mental illness IS to blame for the majority of violent events? Can someone be a mass murderer WITHOUT being mentally ill? What is your opinion here?

To be honest, I just can’t wrap my head around the fact that so much violence is occurring in the World today. And I do NOT think mental illness is to blame. There are a number of things, in my opinion, that are to blame.
1. Youth these days are spoiled rotten little assholes who think that because they didn’t ask to be born, should be able to act and feel and get whatever they want and when they don’t get it, should be allowed to find some way of getting it by their own means.
2. Most parents are scared to spank kids, to punish kids for wrong choices because the government has told kids it’s abuse, and abuse will cause mental illness, which abuse can cause, but spanking a child will not.
3. Then there are those parents who just don’t give a shit. The parents who teach their children that the law is the bad guy, not the good guy. Instead of calling 911 for help, they call a relative to seek revenge. Two wrongs don’t make a right, but apparently in these parent’s eyes, it does.
4. We are not taught empathy or sympathy any more, just get yours before they get yours, mine and theirs too. We are also taught our feelings are far more important than any one else’s. If we find someone else’s opinion ‘wrong’ than we are offended, and it must be corrected by what ever means necessary.

I’m pretty sure I could go on and on, but I think I may have already crossed lines already, therefor before I trigger anyone I think I will stop there with that part.

It irks me to no end when something this tragic happens and the first thing they can think of is to say the person was mentally ill. Like that makes it okay or understandable. I also believe more people are being diagnosed with a mental disorder than should be and there are many who are being wrongly diagnosed. Then there are those who want a mental illness diagnoses to use as an excuse for all sorts of reasons.
**The governor of Florida this week asked, “How do we make sure that individuals with mental illness do not touch a gun?” If you have a mental health diagnosis, how does that statement make you feel?
There are so many with a diagnosis of a mental disorder who have never been violent or even had such thoughts, at least not against others, anyway. Take myself. I’ve never thought of hurting another human being or living thing for that matter, but I have thought about suicide numerous times. And while others would disagree here, I myself, feel I would only be hurting myself.
I’ve always wondered why others who have taken lives, especially strangers to them, can do such a thing. It may be a mental disorder really, but I think it is so much more than just that. A lot of has to do with the statements I made above, in my opinion.

**Generally speaking, do you believe that events like this cause further discrimination against mental health issues, and if so, what could be the result of that discrimination?

Yes, events like this cause further discrimination against mental health which in the end will lead to more people being afraid to seek help for their illness, more so than they already are. And who knows what/where that could lead someone. Suicide would be my biggest guess.

**How should public officials go about discussing mental health issues related to violent events? Are they doing a good job? Could they do better? If so, how?

I’m not even going to touch this one except to say to date, they suck at this and I don’t see it getting any better in the near future.


** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only **
Shhh. Whisper.....