Mental illness and violence.

Another mass shooting took place last week in Louisianna. It didn't take long for it to become public knowledge that the shooter was diagnosed bipolar and had a long history of violence. Once again mental illness was in the news and linked to a horrific event.

Whenever I hear of a mass shooting of this kind, I cringe and almost wait for the media to report that the shooter was either bipolar or schizophrenic. As one who lives with a mental illness it makes me want to go silent regarding my disorder. I don't want to be associated with the concept of the "Crazed killer", and fear that I will be perceived in the same light as a unbalanced individual.

I have never owned a gun, never shot a gun and would never even contemplate gun ownership. I believe that if you are diagnosed with a mental illness you should forgo your Second Amendment right to gun ownership. There is mounting evidence that the mentally ill are more likely to be victims of violence than perpetrators, yet why own a agent of violence when harm to self or others is in the equation?!

I believe that back round checks are necessary and should be enforced with even more restrictions. The shooter in Louisianna had a restraining order against him and had his weapons removed due to his threats against his family. He had a long history of mental illness and yet was still able to purchase a gun. Ridiculous. He should have been red flagged.

Mental illness is not an indicator of violence , yet it seems that  every time a story appears like Louisville we hear about the shooters mental health history. The media does little to report on the millions of people who suffer in silence with mental illness. Most go quietly about their lives, keeping their diagnosis to themselves for fear of stigma. Who in their right mind would want to be identified with those who commit heinous acts? It is cringe worthy and makes those of us suffering from a mental illness want to hide our diagnosis even further.

Before another incident happens , I hope mental illness is discussed outside of the context of violence. Depression is often experienced privately, and painfully alone. Most who suffer from it hide away from society and do not engage in behavior that would draw attention to themselves.

I think all issues that pertain to mental illness should be drawn out of the shadows and discussed openly. I would be a vocal proponent of strict back round checks that some may perceive as violating the Second Amendment rights of those diagnosed with a disorder. To this I would say a big so what?! There is no reason for someone who may be a danger to themselves to own a weapon which they can turn against themselves. Take it from one who knows, when you are in a bipolar episode you are not in your right mind, your thinking is skewed and your actions questionable at best. The right to bear arms should not be afforded to those in the throes of insanity.