It sounds absurd to even say that, but it might be subconsciously believed that the mentally ill are dangerous if you only took in statistically-small-but-sensational news reports of worst-case tragedies.
More alarming are the statistics on the number of mentally ill currently in jail or prison. Psychotic and paranoid behavior is irrational, weird, and frightening, and when not understood or treated, can lead to incidents where the police are called—that part is not so shocking.
Fortunately the courts are beginning to understand the illness better and are attempting to respond appropriately.
Society as a whole however, is still slow to recognize signature behavior and slow to provide early intervention treatment. And this is most likely due to the stigma, myth, and ignorance of the illness that continues.
We at Caramore are fighting to overcome the old notions of stigma and shame. We’re here to help fight this disease and we do it with a completely structured program that mandates medication compliance and full participation in mental health treatment.
We have individuals in the program with some criminal background. It goes with the territory—it goes with the illness (until there are better early-intervention programs like this one). But we don’t have “criminals.” We have people who are sick and are doing everything they can treatment-wise to recover—treatment that overwhelmingly restores them to average, sane, rational functioning levels, just like the rest of us operate on. Those with old criminal records desperately want a second chance to show that what happened back then was not them—that’s not who they are. They need to be given a second chance and are very eager to start again.
Mental illness is being understood more and more and will one day be recognized on the same level as cancer and our other terrible diseases—diseases that require the same amount of heroism, intensity, and wisdom to fight it. The same compassion felt for the sufferers of those illnesses is already well overdue for those who suffer from mental illness.
D. Cooley
