shot dead in DC

[sexobon]

Yes, yes of course, thank you for making all so doable. We argue for universal, unconditional support, elimination of poverty, and the end to all wars. Pie in the sky arguments are saving lives everyday dontcha know.

[Perry Winkle]

Originally Posted by sexobon

Yes, yes of course, thank you for making all so doable. We argue for universal, unconditional support, elimination of poverty, and the end to all wars. Pie in the sky arguments are saving lives everyday dontcha know.

Don't patronize me. I never said unconditional support, elimination of poverty or the end to all wars.

I think it's better to set lofty goals and take baby steps toward them than to give up and dehumanize people. No "one big push" ever succeeds fully. No matter what you are going to have a painful period where you zero in on what's most effective.

A starting point would be a movement to stop mental illness stigma. We have bullying prevention and all sorts of other social initiatives. Generally not expensive.

Incarceration is what happens to a lot of mentally ill people who don't have access to social support. It's much cheaper to put someone in a hospital for a while, get them the drugs and therapy they need and then do whatever helps them reintegrate with society as safely as possible. You prevent a lot of negative externalities by helping those in need.

I think the problem most people have with this sort of suggestion is that it's addressing the cause not the symptom. Most people just can't fathom that. It's easier to use whatever quick fix is available after the problem becomes acute.

[Lamplighter]

Well said, PW

[orthodoc]

Originally Posted by sexobon

Yes, yes of course, thank you for making all so doable. We argue for universal, unconditional support, elimination of poverty, and the end to all wars. Pie in the sky arguments are saving lives everyday dontcha know.

Treating mental illness as comparable to physical illness and refusing to stigmatize those who suffer from it are not pie in the sky concepts.

Crisis intervention is a stop-gap measure that does help defuse many situations, but not all. But it's the long term care that's lacking. In spite of legislation requiring insurance companies to cover mental illness, the majority of policies I've looked at in the past month offer NO coverage for 'behavioral health'. People with severe illness can't wait months for an appointment and then just see a mid-level. They will decompensate.

This is a huge problem on both sides of the border. The reality is that there's no care for the 3% of the population with psychotic disorders! and little to none for the 10-15% of mothers who suffer postpartum depression.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Treating mental illness as comparable to physical illness and refusing to stigmatize those who suffer from it are not pie in the sky concepts.

No but it is expensive, and the Muslim Kenyan in the White House is too busy redistributing wealth to bother.

[sexobon]

Originally Posted by orthodoc

Treating mental illness as comparable to physical illness and refusing to stigmatize those who suffer from it are not pie in the sky concepts.

They are as a first priority; or, first method of approach as the issue currently exists. That's what my comment addressed.

ETA: Pass me a 64 oz. regular Coke.