Posted by Milton Carrero at 10:38:37 AM on December 17, 2012
The woman looked anxious as she bolted out of her Allentown home, still struggling to fix the child's winter coat.
"You have to be patient!" she screamed at the boy as he kept on walking.
He looked my way as I walked by the house. The woman repeated the phrase three times and I couldn't help but to chuckle at the irony of her distressed statement. But as I walked away, her screaming intensified and I could hear the boy crying as I turned the corner. A sharp sadness took over me at the moment. It was?similar to the sadness that took over the country as soon as we learned the details of what happened in Newtown, Conn.
My intention is not to rehash the deadly journey of the shooter. I won't even mention his name because he did nothing worth crediting him for. His name should be forgotten but what he did should motivate all of us to reflect on the circumstances that fuel this kind of behavior. This man was not raised in a vacuum. What happened in Conn. has something to do with us too.?
This man was raised in a society where mental health is mistreated and misunderstood. Where guns and prescription drugs are easily accessible and where isolation is the default way of dealing with social ills.
The parents of those 20 children who lost their lives never thought their young ones would be vulnerable to a deranged man, materializing his most violent fantasy at their children's elementary school. But we all are. No matter how far we move from the so called "troubled" areas, unless we address our social ills, the problems will catch up to us. And unless mental health is taken as seriously as cancer, we will continue to be baffled by similar tragic events.
Children and adults are prescribed with behavioral disorders in the United States at record rates. Many of them are medicated with dangerous and legal mood stabilizers. The?withdrawal symptoms of these medications can send a disturbed person into a killing rampage.?
There is also an interesting link between recent mass murders and the use and abuse of prescription drugs.
The Citizens Commission on Human Rights International has found links between prescription drugs use and??10 recent mass killings. Many of the shooters were using antidepressants and strong pain medications, some of which are cross-prescribed for physical and emotional pain. The drugs include Topamax, Tegretol, BuSpar, Xanax, Prozac, Trazodone, Effexor, Zoloft, Celexa, Ambien--the mix is mind-boggling.
This should inspire mental health professionals to reflect about the effectiveness of these treatments, which are often based on trial and error.
It should also motivate us to think about ways to solve our problems without having to resort to violence. In my view, guns seldom prevent violence. Only creative human beings giving a good example can solve their problems without violence. Our collective well-being depends on our ability to be compassionate.
I guess in this context, my sadness is a good sign.?
?
?
Current Comments
bring back the insane asylums and state mental hospitals
Posted By: lolli | Dec 17, 2012 1:30:27 PM
Please consider reading and signing my petition. It asks the government to focus on promoting mental health in our nation, as a response to this tragedy.
http://www.change.org/petitions/u-s-government-promote-mental-wellness-in-response-to-sandy-hook-shootings-3
Posted By: Vanessa | Dec 17, 2012 2:36:24 PMTHIS COMMENT IS RIGHT ON , ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS LOOK AT THE LISTED SIDE EFFECTS , IT IS SO SAD IT TOOK SO LONG FOR PEOPLE TO CONNECT THE VOLIENCE - SUICIDES ALMOST ALLWAYS BY PEOPLE ON MEDS. I THINK IT WILL BE FOUND MEDS ARE THE CAUSALITY. THE PHARMA COMPANYS ARE HIDING BEHIND PRIVACY LAWS WITCH THEY INVENTED TO PROTECT THEMSELFS.
Posted By: JEFF | Dec 17, 2012 3:20:25 PM
Antidepressants in children should be banned. NOW! Almost all antidepressants are marketed toward adults, and the long term affects are not published. Check on line! There have been millions of dollars paid in penalties and fines from the drug manufacturers who have been caught and still are in business. Also,since they pay for their own study groups they DO NOT HAVE TO DISCLOSE ALL RESULTS! In the UK children under 18 are banned from these medications, why can't we do it here. FDA appeases the doctors and pharmacuetical companies-not the kids. All the shootings are ALL related to kids on antidepressants!
Posted By: Christine | Dec 17, 2012 8:40:33 PM
Leave A Comment
NOTE: Please express your opinions in a civil and respectful manner. Insensitive, inflammatory and derogatory comments will be removed at our discretion.
big ten tournament big east tournament 2012 solar storm solar flares spanx aurora borealis gcb
কোন মন্তব্য নেই:
একটি মন্তব্য পোস্ট করুন