Response to Tuscon Tragedy
Our sympathy and support is extended to the families of the victims of the shooting in Tucson. We pray for healing for those who were injured and those who witnessed this tragedy.
At this point in time we do not know the motivation or the reason for the shooting. However, there has been much speculation about the mental health of the individual who did the shooting. This kind of violence is NOT characteristic of people who have a mental illness. Scientific studies have shown that people with mental health conditions are no more prone to violence than the rest of the population. A small portion of individuals with a specific mental illness is at risk for violence IF their symptoms go untreated.
Current studies show that 1 in 4 adult Americans will experience a mental health problem in any given year, yet LESS THAN 1/3 will seek help or receive treatment. Nationally our mental health system is underfunded. In this economy there is an increased demand for mental health services and yet strained budgets have drastically cut funding for community mental health services.
As a community our goal should be to help those with signs of mental illnesses to seek treatment. We need to engage in reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness and eliminating the barriers to accessing treatment. In the past years we have seen too many of these national tragedies. Now is the time to band together to address the issues to make our mental healthcare system effective, accessible and easy to use. Early access to treatment will help prevent this type of tragedy.
