Another senseless mass murder, this time at the Washington Navy Yard, indicates that it’s a lot more difficult identifying and treating the seriously mentally ill in our “normal” society than we are willing to admit.
Regardless of the legal definition that sometimes hinges on the understanding of right and wrong, I believe that many of those who commit spasmodic mass murder are mentally ill. The cause may be genetic, physical, biological, environmental, chemical, or a number of other factors including life experience, but usually there were previous indications, small or large, of serious problems before the ultimate, tragic events take place.
It was reported on Yahoo.com that the suspected gunman, Aaron Alexis, was arrested in Seattle in 2004, according to the Seattle Police Department, for “shooting out the tires of another man’s vehicle in what Alexis later described as an anger-fueled ‘blackout.'”
We will eventually learn a lot more about Mr. Alexis’ life, but if the report is accurate, what more would one need to indicate that he had severe problems?
One of the difficulties in America is the reluctance of the average citizen to “get in someone else’s business” especially when it involves mental health. Fear plays a part in the failure to act. The old warning – “no telling what a crazy person will do” – is politically incorrect, but still has a fundamental truth to it. The other fear is the fear of stigmatizing someone whose only problem is that he or she is different.
We should dispose of the stigma issue immediately; it’s our attitude, that’s all. In most cases, those with mental health problems are not responsible for their condition and mental disorders are surprisingly common. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, “An estimated 26.2 percent of Americans ages 18 and older — about one in four adults — suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year.” Obviously, the vast majority are not dangerous to themselves or others, but all need help.
Overall, we are a tolerant nation that tends to let people march to their own drummer when they desire. Being different is something many even cherish; however, when it comes to uncontrolled anger, there is a real and present danger in ignoring warning signs.
I believe the warnings tend to come in two ways, either acting out, such as the alleged tire-shooting incident, and/or obsessive behavior, such as continual brooding and seeing oneself as being victimized.
If the stigma went away, we would be more likely to report the warning signs. Professionals are less likely to let an opportunity to check go by because they see the results of inaction all the time. However, many people suffering from mental illness do not get regular medical care and do not even realize they need it. That is one of the unique difficulties of this issue; if your judgment is impaired, how can you judge when you need help?
That’s why family, friends, acquaintances, co-workers, and others are so important – they tend to recognize changes in behavior, but then what? Will they know where to go and what to do to get help for someone showing signs of possible mental illness? We had better get going on the issue or we will have to continue to live with the terrible consequences.
Who are these people? For the most part, they do evil, but they are not evil. They are just ill in a very terrible way.
