Tragedy and Opportunity
By Margaret Capes
Like most, I am deeply saddened by the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut
last week. So many lost lives in an instant – too young, too soon.
I was equally saddened to hear of the challenging life of
Adam Lanza. Like so many young adults dealing with mental illness, he kept to
himself and the world kept swirling around him. A world with little compassion
for outsiders, misfits and loners.
This tragedy offers many opportunities for understanding and
action. In no particular order, here are my thoughts.
Mental illness strikes 1 in 5 Canadians every year in varying
degrees and forms. There is a good chance someone you know has dealt with its
challenges. I have personally and within my own family.
People with mental illness are no more likely to act violently
than anyone else. I have been very dismayed how many news outlets have made a
tie between Adam’s violent outburst and his mental health issues. Please draw
your own conclusions from the facts not the popular media.
It is tragic how we allow our elected officials to spend our
tax dollars. The Canadian federal government thinks nothing of spending
millions deciding what type of military helicopters to buy but allocates a
pittance to effective mental health services
for young and old alike. Really? I urge
you to get involved and let the politicians know you support better funding for
those in need. You may want to check out the work of the Mental Health
Commission of Canada at http://www.mentalhealthcommission.ca.
Its work is eye opening and progressive.
Our culture of violence needs to change. Strict gun control
laws need to continue where they exist and be advocated for where they do not.
Video games, movies and TV shows should tone down the mindless maiming and
killing. How can such cold, calculated killing (albeit in simulated settings)
help the cause?
Finally, I challenge everyone to look inward and think of
ways each day you can be more open and compassionate to those who do not always
“fit in”. Maybe your efforts will help someone from the darkness Adam Lanza
surely lived in most of his young life.
Thoughts ?
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