08-06-2015, 04:29 PM
Sure, psychiatrists can't always tell if an untreated or smooth-talking hothead is going to lose his/her shift, irrationally pull a gun, and shoot someone. No disagreement there. The brain is tricky business.
Still, some violence due to mental illness is predictable and goes unaddressed. At least monthly I read about a person getting killed after being denied a protective/restraining order against someone who was making threats, acting erratically, and had weapons. "No danger to self or others", said the professionals prior to denying protection or releasing the person back into society. Some violent/crazy people can put up a good front, I know. But, some of the killers in question were obviously on the edge and weren't committed or restricted in any way because the doctors and/or judges were too liberal IMO, or because of limitations in the current laws.
Anyway, Montano, the Nashville theater shooter, was diagnosed with a serious mental illness and confined to treatment four different times. I do think there are ways to keep more such people, many of whom openly display violent aggression or intent towards others, off the streets or medically monitored. That would involve legal changes in the mental health system. I hope those changes are forthcoming.
P.s. Yep, I'm very aware that I could become a victim of almost any type of crime. So, I stay alert and avoid certain types of situations to minimize the risk. However, I don't live in fear over it and I do understand that some people are truly mentally ill through no fault of their own.
Still, some violence due to mental illness is predictable and goes unaddressed. At least monthly I read about a person getting killed after being denied a protective/restraining order against someone who was making threats, acting erratically, and had weapons. "No danger to self or others", said the professionals prior to denying protection or releasing the person back into society. Some violent/crazy people can put up a good front, I know. But, some of the killers in question were obviously on the edge and weren't committed or restricted in any way because the doctors and/or judges were too liberal IMO, or because of limitations in the current laws.
Anyway, Montano, the Nashville theater shooter, was diagnosed with a serious mental illness and confined to treatment four different times. I do think there are ways to keep more such people, many of whom openly display violent aggression or intent towards others, off the streets or medically monitored. That would involve legal changes in the mental health system. I hope those changes are forthcoming.
P.s. Yep, I'm very aware that I could become a victim of almost any type of crime. So, I stay alert and avoid certain types of situations to minimize the risk. However, I don't live in fear over it and I do understand that some people are truly mentally ill through no fault of their own.