Nearly every couple of
weeks, it seems, we hear of another school or mass shooting or a bomb being planted in this or
that public place. Even among my
European friends, Colorado is famous, not for its skiing or tourist
destination, but for Columbine and Aurora.
Several months ago, a 16 year old placed
explosives in a Colorado suburban school and, as the judge ruled last week, he will be tried as an adult for attempted murder.. The accused defense: it was just a prank and
the bomb batteries were dead.
What is wrong with Colorado?, they ask. I remind them that it has become a phenomena
in other parts of the world, but world perception is that is it more of a
problem in America than elsewhere. The
most recent incident at McNair Academy outside Atlanta, fortunately ending
without casualties thanks to a brave bookkeeper, Antoinette Tuff. Newtown, Connecticut has entered national
consciousness with the same intensity as does the word “Columbine”.
While every incident is a
little different, what appears to be common to most , whether AK 47’s with 500
rounds of ammo or a homemade bomb are the weapons, are mental health issues .
The McNair 20 year old male mentioned to Ms. Tuff that he was “ off his psych
meds.” The known mental health problems of the Aurora movie theatre shooter is
the main focus of that trial and his
insanity defense. Whether it is out of
control rage, revenge for wrongs, a sense of being victimized, a cry for help, or seeking death by cop in a media
blaze of notoriety, we see a
common thread of mental health problems.
There is no “silver bullet” (so to speak) to forever ending commission of such kinds of violence. It
takes a variety of approaches that can only make such acts less likely. Whatever your stance on the interpretation of
the 2nd amendment, mental
health issues have usually been
overshadowed by the debate over constitutional rights. One exception is Colorado. Both tougher gun laws and mental
health legislation have been enacted this spring.
Where the 2nd
amendment and mental health issues intersect is in tightening the rules on background checks. If we all
agree that those with a history of mental illness should not be able to buy weapons, can anyone tell me how that can be policed
without comprehensive background checks? I do get the argument that these laws would not have deterred Newtown, Columbine, or
those using explosive devices, but there are other instances where it could
have had some impact such as in Aurora and/ or if access and reporting laws
were improved.
One of the deterrents to intercepting those with mental health problems
is that seeking professional help has not been affordable. One of the little noticed provisions of
Obamacare is mental health parity. Access to medications and time spent with a
professional receives similar coverage as other chronic diseases, like diabetes
or high blood pressure, and would not be considered a pre-existing condition,
disclosure to insurers of which until now
shot up the cost of health insurance premiums or led to denial.
In response to Aurora, legislation was passed in May which would provide $20 million for expansion
of mental health services. Early next year,
the state plans to establish walk-in crisis centers around Colorado, a 24-hour
mental health hotline, mobile units to
travel to rural areas where access to mental health services is limited, and
greater access to 24 hour holds. The hotline will be particularly helpful to
parents and friends at wits end about what to do if they fear a child or a
friend is out of control or for those
realizing they themselves fear they may
be tempted to act out and commit violence against others.
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