Local Leaders Call for Better Mental Healthcare
By: Katie Kyros
Updated: December 18, 2012
FREDERICK, MD - Local leaders are looking for ways to treat mental health issues to prevent another mass shooting tragedy.
"I think for a number of years this has been an issue," says Delegate Michael Hough (R) of Washington and Frederick Counties. "But I think these recent rash of shootings with people that were mentally ill that carried them out, it's highlighting one of the problems in our society."
Hough plans to introduce a bill to create a task force and study the issue further.
With so many of these shootings in recent years, experts say there may be a "copycat" element for these troubled men.
"Someone sees something, and they're not doing it because they saw it, but if they're then experiencing a rage, they're saying 'OK well this is what's happened before and I know that then that's something I can do,'" says Pat Hanberry, CEO of the Mental Health Association.
One solution could be more education, especially for those who see a victim of mental illness and could interfere to stop an unthinkable event.
"There have been a couple of cases in these shootings where people were aware, usually it was because the person was really really quiet and a loner, and people were aware that something was going on but didn't reach out, didn't try to get the person connected to treatment and then it ended up in a tragedy," says Hanberry.
The Mental Health Association wants to ask the public to help anyone they know who may struggle with mental illness. They offer a "mental health first aid" class, and encourage everyone to sign up.
"I think for a number of years this has been an issue," says Delegate Michael Hough (R) of Washington and Frederick Counties. "But I think these recent rash of shootings with people that were mentally ill that carried them out, it's highlighting one of the problems in our society."
Hough plans to introduce a bill to create a task force and study the issue further.
With so many of these shootings in recent years, experts say there may be a "copycat" element for these troubled men.
"Someone sees something, and they're not doing it because they saw it, but if they're then experiencing a rage, they're saying 'OK well this is what's happened before and I know that then that's something I can do,'" says Pat Hanberry, CEO of the Mental Health Association.
One solution could be more education, especially for those who see a victim of mental illness and could interfere to stop an unthinkable event.
"There have been a couple of cases in these shootings where people were aware, usually it was because the person was really really quiet and a loner, and people were aware that something was going on but didn't reach out, didn't try to get the person connected to treatment and then it ended up in a tragedy," says Hanberry.
The Mental Health Association wants to ask the public to help anyone they know who may struggle with mental illness. They offer a "mental health first aid" class, and encourage everyone to sign up.
