Title: The Problem With Blaming Mass Shootings On Mental Illness
Headings: The Problem With Blaming Mass Shootings On Mental Illness
The Problem With Blaming Mass Shootings On Mental Illness
Helping people with mental illness requires thoughtful responses, not stereotyping.
Addressing Mental Illness Won’t Prevent Mass Shootings
Mentally Ill People Can Recover
Either Mentally Ill People Are Responsible Or They Aren’t
Making People Dependent Reduces Hope for Recovery

Content: Mental health supports are supposed to help people move into the most self-sufficient, gratifying life possible. Traditional, paternalistic policies that do not focus on recovery just squander taxpayer dollars and corrupt the human soul. Our current mental health system too often rips people away from their family, church, or community, making them feel like they don’t belong. It dehumanizes them and treats them as if they are a plague on society, unable to recover. People stuck in this system can get by, but they do not thrive. Their existence is sustained, but their life may never improve. The “compassion” provided, in many cases, may damage the people who need the most help. By contrast, those in recovery are responsible individuals who are able to support themselves and reduce government dependence. This is no small thing. Nearly 40 percent of people on Social Security Disability Insurance are there because of a mental disorder.