There are many components to the issue of gun violence and it seems that many people want to make it a single issue problem. Yes, in many of the recent mass shooting in out country mental illness has been a big part of the issue. However not all gun violence can be contributed to mental illness.
There is still a huge stigma around mental illness, some of it evidenced in some of the comments below. People shouldn't be afraid to ask for help. Some people with mental illness are afraid of not being supported by family and friends. They fear they might lose their jobs if it is discovered they take medications or have a diagnosis. Medication and therapy are important elements in treating mental illness but just as important is having strong support of family and friends. Being able to work and to contribute to your community is also important. Access to treatment is critical, insurance programs need to cover mental health as thoroughly as they do diabetes and heart disease. Mental illness is a medical condition that needs to be taken seriously.
I don't believe that more gun control is the be all end all of solving this problem either. As someone who does not own a gun I don't know all of the legal responsibilities of gun ownership. Though it seems to me that gun owners have a responsibility to secure their guns, legally and morally to prevent them from entering the wrong hands.
Simply adding more gun laws won't fix this. Improving the attitudes around mental health and improving access won't completely fix it either but personally I think if it can prevent one of these horrific events it will be worth the effort. It may also improve the quality of life for many, that seems like a good thing to me.
We as a country need to work together. It's becoming far to acceptable to dig our heels in and refuse to even see that there may be another point of view. This will get us absolutely nowhere.
Let me start by saying I don't live in Lewiston nor do I have children. I have read many articles about this restructuring proposal and honestly I can't believe the attitudes of some of the parents who are against the plan. As someone who is not from this area I have to say this is what I am hearing...The rich white parents are more concerned with their property values, which quite frankly I find pathetic. The parents who are opposed to this plan come across as elitist. Whether or not this decision is being rushed, I can't really say, there may be some validity to that argument. On the whole I think it's worth looking at and doing. The school board has a responsibility to ALL students. To offer them the best environment to give them the best education they can provide. I am sure that my comments will be torn apart but I really don't care. Everyone has the right to their opinion and this is mine.
Recent Comments
If this training saves even
If this training saves even one life it will be worth every penny spent and every minute spent in training.
There is no one solution
There are many components to the issue of gun violence and it seems that many people want to make it a single issue problem. Yes, in many of the recent mass shooting in out country mental illness has been a big part of the issue. However not all gun violence can be contributed to mental illness.
There is still a huge stigma around mental illness, some of it evidenced in some of the comments below. People shouldn't be afraid to ask for help. Some people with mental illness are afraid of not being supported by family and friends. They fear they might lose their jobs if it is discovered they take medications or have a diagnosis. Medication and therapy are important elements in treating mental illness but just as important is having strong support of family and friends. Being able to work and to contribute to your community is also important. Access to treatment is critical, insurance programs need to cover mental health as thoroughly as they do diabetes and heart disease. Mental illness is a medical condition that needs to be taken seriously.
I don't believe that more gun control is the be all end all of solving this problem either. As someone who does not own a gun I don't know all of the legal responsibilities of gun ownership. Though it seems to me that gun owners have a responsibility to secure their guns, legally and morally to prevent them from entering the wrong hands.
Simply adding more gun laws won't fix this. Improving the attitudes around mental health and improving access won't completely fix it either but personally I think if it can prevent one of these horrific events it will be worth the effort. It may also improve the quality of life for many, that seems like a good thing to me.
We as a country need to work together. It's becoming far to acceptable to dig our heels in and refuse to even see that there may be another point of view. This will get us absolutely nowhere.
Let me start by saying I
Let me start by saying I don't live in Lewiston nor do I have children. I have read many articles about this restructuring proposal and honestly I can't believe the attitudes of some of the parents who are against the plan. As someone who is not from this area I have to say this is what I am hearing...The rich white parents are more concerned with their property values, which quite frankly I find pathetic. The parents who are opposed to this plan come across as elitist. Whether or not this decision is being rushed, I can't really say, there may be some validity to that argument. On the whole I think it's worth looking at and doing. The school board has a responsibility to ALL students. To offer them the best environment to give them the best education they can provide. I am sure that my comments will be torn apart but I really don't care. Everyone has the right to their opinion and this is mine.