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U.S. Navy was warned that Washington shooter 'heard voices'

The consequences of the distrust in our institutions, and not just the mental institutions, began long before the 1990's. I understand that 'hearing voices' just doesn't cut it anymore and that is part of the problem. Where do these people go? The problem is being ignored and groups like the ACLU have also contributed to the problem.

Mass shootings are a recent phenomena with a link to allowing the mentally ill to walk the streets. These sorts of happenings were once largely unknown.

If you knew the history of our mental institutions, you would know that distrust has been well earned. I always had over a thousand patients everywhere I worked. I would say a good third of them were baseline psychotic, but they were not a threat to self or others because they knew the voices were hallucinations. It is not always possible to obliterate the voices. And for those who deal with them appropriately it is inappropriate to keep them locked up. Your mother could think you are Jesus Christ, but that isn't criteria to lock her up. You can be as crazy as you wanna be, but unless you show yourself to be dangerous you cannot be denied your liberty under the Constitution. And the provider who does deny someone their liberty illegally can be jailed.
 
If you knew the history of our mental institutions, you would know that distrust has been well earned. I always had over a thousand patients everywhere I worked. I would say a good third of them were baseline psychotic, but they were not a threat to self or others because they knew the voices were hallucinations. It is not always possible to obliterate the voices. And for those who deal with them appropriately it is inappropriate to keep them locked up. Your mother could think you are Jesus Christ, but that isn't criteria to lock her up. You can be as crazy as you wanna be, but unless you show yourself to be dangerous you cannot be denied your liberty under the Constitution. And the provider who does deny someone their liberty illegally can be jailed.

Yes, I agree that there have been many problems in many institutions but it might have been better to upgrade these institutions rather than allow dangerous people out in the streets.

I suppose it's a priority of where money is going to be spent but society is beginning to recognize that even more common disorders, such as depression, can be a great cost to the economy. Those with more violent tendencies, such as this shooter and his predecessors, should have been taken in sooner, though I'm not sure how the Constitution would apply in this area.
 
Yes, I agree that there have been many problems in many institutions but it might have been better to upgrade these institutions rather than allow dangerous people out in the streets.

I suppose it's a priority of where money is going to be spent but society is beginning to recognize that even more common disorders, such as depression, can be a great cost to the economy. Those with more violent tendencies, such as this shooter and his predecessors, should have been taken in sooner, though I'm not sure how the Constitution would apply in this area.

Most of them are not dangerous. And case in point, this shooter had not had ANY treatment that we know of. So it's apples and oranges. You are switching from one topic to another. Getting someone well, and keeping them well are two different animals. I have done both for many years. I never had anyone who did anything like this. Whatever color your eyes are, what you are saying is like saying we should lock up everyone up has your eye color. Blue? Brown? Most of them have managed pretty well in the community. Exception I think of is Andrea Yates. But her MD knew she had postpartum psychosis and let her keep having babies, the family know she was sick, too.

AND FYI, Tennessee got a brand new psychiatric institute in the early 2000s. http://tn.gov/mental/mhs/MiddleMHI.html

The days are over when thousands of people who posed no danger were kept locked away because 'normal' people found them offensive.
 
Most of them are not dangerous. And case in point, this shooter had not had ANY treatment that we know of. So it's apples and oranges. You are switching from one topic to another. Getting someone well, and keeping them well are two different animals. I have done both for many years. I never had anyone who did anything like this. Whatever color your eyes are, what you are saying is like saying we should lock up everyone up has your eye color. Blue? Brown? Most of them have managed pretty well in the community. Exception I think of is Andrea Yates. But her MD knew she had postpartum psychosis and let her keep having babies, the family know she was sick, too.

AND FYI, Tennessee got a brand new psychiatric institute in the early 2000s. Tennessee Department of Mental Health

The days are over when thousands of people who posed no danger were kept locked away because 'normal' people found them offensive.

You might enjoy this column by Charles Krauthammer, a trained psychiatrist as well as a political commentator.

Charles Krauthammer: The real Navy Yard scandal - The Washington Post
 
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