A mother has written a blog that has been passed around the internet via Facebook and in links in several other blogs and news articles. In it, she discusses her fear that her son will someday do something similar to what Adam Lanza did in Connecticut. It is an eye-opening piece of writing.
Yesterday, I wrote a blog that clarified that not all people who have Asperger’s Syndrome are violent. Some can, and do, express loud, verbal, outbursts or may push someone away from them. Typically, the violence that people with Asperger’s Syndrome express is not premeditated or planned out.
Today, a blog is being passed around the internet. The blog is called The Anarchist Soccer Mom. The blog post is titled “Thinking the Unthinkable”. It is a very chilling read. I recommend that you take a moment and read the post in its entirety. The post starts with:
In the wake of another horrific national tragedy, it’s easy to talk about guns. But it’s time to talk about mental illness.
The mom who wrote this blog post describes a difficult moment she had with her thirteen year old son, “Michael” (which is not his real name). Things start out with an argument over wanting to wear a pair of pants to school that are not a color that is within the dress code limitations to a trip to a mental hospital (with police involvement). She writes:
I live with a son who is mentally ill. I love my son. But he terrifies me.
We still don’t know what’s wrong with Michael. Autism spectrum, ADHD, Oppositional Defiant or Intermittent Explosive Disorder have all been tossed around at various meetings with probation officers and social workers and counselors and teachers and school administrators. He’s been on a slew of antipsychotic and mood altering pharmaceuticals, a Russian novel of behavioral plan. Nothing seems to work.
It is clear that this is a mom who needs help – and is specifically asking for it. There is no help to be found. She points out:
It’s time for a meaningful, nation-wide conversation about mental health. That’s the only way our nation can ever truly heal.
Right now, there are families who have children like “Michael”. Some do not have the type of health insurance that covers multiple trips to the ER or mental health treatment. Some are uninsured. It is time to have the conversation this mom is calling for and to get better support systems in place for families that need it. Perhaps, that could prevent another tragedy from happening.
Image by Cameron Adams on Flickr