U N T R E A T E D M E N T A L I L L N E S S
too many recent stories include untreated mental illness. aurora, co ... sandy hook ... train jumpers ... men and women who do unfathomable things to those they know and those they don't know ... aaron swartz.
the thing is that mental illness is a naturally occurring part of our human existence - just like physical and intellectual disabilities, just like disease, just like genius, just like athleticism, and on and on and on.
but the other thing is - few acknowledge this fact and even fewer seem willing to do what is necessary to: 1) provide the funding necessary to put an adequate system in place to address untreated mental illness; and 2) provide the funding necessary to provide the education necessary to destigmatize, decriminalize, and legitimize mental illness. i truly believe that without addressing #2 we will never get to number #1 because people will continue to hide - both the afflicted and the affected - and not seek treatment.
this is really bothering me now specifically because aaron swartz hanged himself. as he repeatedly acknowledged, he lived with debilitating depression. however, most articles gloss over this fact. instead the authors focus on over-aggressive prosecutors, the pitfalls of too much too soon. yes, he was facing a life altering charge. yes he could have been bankrupted by the fine. yes he could have gone to jail. and i'm sure each of those aspects of his uncertain future played a role in his decision to hang himself. but the bottom line is he was severely depressed.
the depression was the deciding factor. depression would not allow him to think rationally. depression did not allow him to leave the past or stop worrying about the future.
it was depression. it was depression. it was depression. it was depression.
but it doesn't have to be this way. there are plenty of people with mental illness that live perfectly "normal" and productive lives. it's treated mental illness. they - we - blend in and make us - you - laugh, think, smile, cry. they - we - challenge and teach us - you. they - we - lead and follow. they - we - are your family, friends, neighbors, colleagues, pastors, elected officials and on and on and on.
