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Mental illness does not discriminate; it can get the better of any of us. The topic of mental illness has been weighing on many in the community since the tragic loss of lives at Parkview Apartments in Monroe, Louisiana last Thursday June 11. There were far too many lost at the hands of a person known to have mental illness issues… but then, one life lost is too many.

For the most part the topic and thought of mental illness is one that we tend to shy away from. It almost seems as if we do not talk about it, it does not exist. Ironically, nearly every day we see manifestations of mental illness, many of which result in fatalities or serious injuries. These can be voluntary or involuntary, self-inflicted or injury inflicted upon others.

In Louisiana, the approach to dealing with mental illness has been rather lax. There are step programs available and institutions that provide in and out- patient care, the response tends to be reactive rather than proactive. Unfortunately, there is a gross lack of education and awareness among community persons. No one expects people in the community to treat a mental illness condition, but they need to know and understand that when anyone in the community is acting differently from their usual behavior or just acting strange or withdrawn in any way, this person’s behavior should be reported to appropriate authorities. If a mental health resource is not known, then the police should be notified, immediately. Officers assume the role and responsibility to assist with situations which could become problematic.

Too often, people love to laugh at “serious things”. Quite often we jokingly make comments like that person is “mad”, “mental”, or “mentally ill”, because we really do not understand what mental illness really is.

Mental illness runs deeper than “just being insane”. According to the American Psychiatric Association, mental Illness refers collectively to all diagnosable mental disorders-health conditions involving significant changes in thinking, emotion and/or behavior or distress and/or problems functioning in social, work or family activities.

Persons suffering from mental illnesses usually make a silent cry for help as they display certain behavioral patterns and signs that often go undetected or simply ignored. Only in hindsight we realize that these are RED flags which do not get attention.

These are cries for help, which may possibly save a life or help someone find the road to recovery. This community, not just residents of Parkview Apartments, but everyone, desperately is sending a strong CRY for HELP!!!

If you have information about resources to help with mental illness, please contact us a [email protected].