Veterans Can Fall Victim to the Failed Mental Health System
I was talking to a client the other day and she brought up the shooting in Thousand Oaks CA. Jamie had trouble understanding why a person like the shooter was able to purchase a weapon. She did not understand that the shooting was a product of our failed mental health system. The shooter’s PTSD might have played a part in the shooting, but if the mental health system was not so difficult to navigate, the shooter might have been able to get help or be stopped. The shooter could legally purchase a weapon because he had not been committed to a mental hospital. The shooter understood the mental health system and knew what to do and say when approached about his PTSD by family members and authorities. According to the newspaper, the shooter’s mother tried to get him help but he refused. The way the laws are written around mental health, there is nothing that can be done unless the right situation arises. It is tough to take away someone’s civil rights but in California, if the shooter had been committed to a mental hospital, he would not be able to possess a weapon for 5 years. Because the shooter was never committed to a mental health hospital, he was legally allowed to purchase the weapon.
The Thousand Oaks shooting puts a negative light on veterans again. The shooting is a reminder of our broken mental health system in the United States, not just the VA but the entire mental health system. Part of the problem with the broken mental health system is the rules are different throughout the country. Every State, County, or local Municipality has different rules around who can commit someone to a mental hospital when it’s necessary. There are no national laws that cover committing someone to a psych ward. The mental health system is too controversial for politicians to take on. Fixing the broken mental health system would entail taking away some civil rights of people with mental issues, including their second amendment rights. Politicians will not touch this issue; therefore, the mental health system will probably stay broken.
As time passes we find out more about the shooter, it was known he had issues and refused to get help. It is also important to know that the shooters track coach at his high school told school administrators that the shooter had assaulted her while the shooter was in high school and before he went into the Marines. The track coach was told to let it go because the shooter was going into the Marines and they would straighten him out. It is now obvious the Marines did not straighten him out. In the end, the shooter had anger issues before he went into the Marines.
I have seen firsthand how difficult it is to get someone with a mental issue help if they refuse it. I have also been told by several parents, family members, and friends of suicidal and PTSD victims that they tried to get their loved ones help, and the mental health system got in their way for whatever reason. OUR MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM IS BROKEN! This shooting appears to not have anything to do with weapons, gun laws, or the political climate. It was caused by a failed mental health system.
Our society looks down on those who suffer from a mental issue. The stigma associated with mental health is especially relevant in the veteran community. Veterans often fail to get help for their mental health because of the stigma. Veterans are taught violence; which can be a problem for someone like the shooter who had anger issues before he joined the military. My guess is there was someone who knew this shooting was possible and might have tried to help, but the STIGMA and the system got in the way. I understand it’s hard to take the rights away from someone who fought for your rights but sometimes it is necessary. This appears to be one of those times. Our thoughts are with those families who lost a loved one, even the shooter, he was let down by the system too. The only ones who can truly fix the problem are our politicians. Please press all politicians to do something about our broken mental health system.
For questions or comments, I can be reached at bo@afterdutyvets.com or visit our website at afterdutyvets.com.