An Assault To Mental Health Awareness: The Abusage of “Mental Illness

Introduction

A couple days ago, I was listening to “The View” on my podcast and Rep. Steve Scalise was interviewed after his long recovery—after the Congressional Baseball shooting back in 2017—for his book, “Back in the Game”. It was heartwarming to see the hosts of “The  View” come together and celebrate his miraculous recovery. Until he made this statement:

There’s usually a common thread in a lot of these shooters that there are  mental health issues. We just passed new laws, and they were very bipartisan so they didn’t get a lot attention, but laws that help close a lot of those loopholes and coordinate a lot of mental health problems in this country so that if somebody does have serious mental illness they’re going to be taken care of in a better way. (Brown, 2018)

Mental Illness: A Common Place Name for Lone Wolf Shooters

My smile went upside down. There’s something things wrong with what Scalise said:

• “Common thread in these issues”? Yes the “common” thread is that most of these shooters who are “mentally ill” are white. According to an article by Ohio State News, 95% of white shooters were painted as mentally ill. This is in contrast to 53%, where Black shooters who were labeled as thugs.

There are (sadly) much research that prove this. One group of researchers looked at 433 news reports containing 219 shootings spanning from January 1, 2013 to December 31 2015, that identified as “mass shootings.” They found that 78% of those articles named the white shooters “mentally ill”, compared to 17% of Black shooters (Jacobs, 2018).

• Secondly, the “common” thread  apart from being white shooters is that shooters were “victims of society” or were “going through a lot” or “stressed out” or “suffered abuse as a child”. Ha! When has politicians or the news media used that same description to describe Black shooters? Cedric Anderson, a Black shooter who was responsible for a shooting at a San Bernardino school. He left a note regarding himself and his wife (one of the victims of the shooting) on how he needed closure, and feeling disrespected and dishonored (CBS News, 2017). He also was trying to “fix things” and move “forward with no regrets”. The victim’s mother mentioned after Anderson wedded her daughter he quickly showed a darker side and would threatened to throw her out the window (CBS News, 2017). Her daughter thought it was strange he was acting this way, since he was nice to her when she was dating. While he never made a specific threat to shoot her, she didn’t take his threats seriously, because he thought he was trying to get attention from her (CBS News, 2017). And nobody, not the police, the media, nor Trump ever said he had mental illness.

The Mental Health Laws That NEVER Was

• “We just passed new laws, and they were very bipartisan so they didn’t get a lot of attention.” Rep Scalise didn’t even name one. All talk, all fluff. The only thing Trump and his team have ever looked into is the opioid crisis (as if opiods are the only thing that causes mental illness). Most of the bipartisan laws were in the Obama Administration (Mental Health America , n.d). For example:
• • Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2015
• • Expanded and Improved Medicare for All Act
• • Prioritizing Veterans Access to Mental Health Care Act of 2015
• • Comprehensive Justice and Mental Health Act

A Broken System

• “But laws help close a lot of those loopholes and coordinate a lot of mental health problems in this country.” Hahaha! What do laws have anything to do with why mental illnesses happen or don’t happen? Leave the diagnosing of mental illness to the mental health professionals. These are the main causes of mental illness (WebMD, 2018):
• •  Biological (ex genetics. prenatal damage)
• • Psychological (ex. severe psychological trauma, neglect)
• • Environmental (dysfunctional family life, social or cultural expectation)

What I’d like the media, politicians and police to do is get their facts straight on mental illness (especially politicians and the news media), because they keep misconstruing the truth to suit their own needs…or ignorance. They should AT LEAST use a mental health organization for the their references. Like for example, the author, Megan Mermis of the online news article,  Periscope, used NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) to better explain how,  as her title explains that “All That Gun Violence Is Not A Mental Health Issue“.

But we all know that politicians and the news media won’t refer to mental health organizations for facts, because they profit from fear, chaos, and ignorance.

Enough Is Enough: The Mediocre, Lazy, Nearsighted Views Politicians and The News Media Have on Mental Illness

But do these politicians, news media, and police work with or look into NAMI, Mental Health America or any other mental health organization source? No. They ignore it or they don’t even bother to look into the information, which I find very upsetting and appalling.

So sad, so true…

And I’m also tired of hearing how people mistake having gun control for having the 2nd amendment being challenged. We have regulations on food don’t we? Medicine? Apparently now mental health? And we can’t have any on guns? Really??? I mean for crying out loud…now EVERY sort of lettuce is being taking off grocery shelves (so no more sandwiches for me to take to work) . It’s B.S.. The 2nd amendment hasn’t been applied to people of color.  Check this out:

• Philando Castile
• Jemel Roberson
• Emantic Fitzgerald Bradford Jr.
• John Crawford III

Philando Castile had rights to carry a gun and yet got shot. Where was the NRA?

I myself am afraid of owning and/or carrying a gun because I’m afraid, I might be villanized by the public by the press on being a mentally ill Black woman owning a gun. It’s already hard enough being called the “Angry Black Woman”, EVEN if I DO have the right to be so. When will the 2nd amendment apply to the African American community? I mean the victims I mentioned were gun owners too who had the proper papers and identification…and they were still shot and killed. Never once had the NRA or Trump ever fought for these men who were unlawfully gunned down for holding to the steadfast right to the 2nd amendment. Oh and by the way…they were never mentioned for having mental illness or men of good character or coming from a difficult background.

Conclusion

Mental illness has to stop being used as a ruse to either understand a complicated situation or person or to give white mass shooters a lighter sentence or judgement. But most importantly it has to being used as a scapegoat from the elephant in the room: needing to have gun control.

References

Brown, L. (2018). Rep. Scalise Explains to “The View” Why His Position on Gun Control Hasn’t Changed After Being Shot. Retrieved from, https://www.google.com/amp/s/townhall.com/tipsheet/laurettabrown/2018/12/04/rep-scalise-explains-to-the-view-why-his-position-on-gun-control-hasnt-changed-after-being-shot-n2536978%3famp=true

Causes of Mental Illness. (2018). Retrieved from, https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/mental-health-causes-mental-illness

Current Mental Health Legislation (n.d.). Retrieved from, http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/issues/current-mental-health-legislation

Jacobs, T. (2018). Research Shows That White Mass Shooters Are Treated More Sympathetically By The Media. Retrieved from, https://www.google.com/amp/s/psmag.com/.amp/social-justice/white-mass-shooters-are-treated-more-sympathetically-by-the-media

San Bernardino Shooting: School Murder-Suicide Suspect Left Cryptic Note.(2017) Retrieved from, https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/san-bernardino-shooting-school-murder-suicide-suspect-left-cryptic-note/

White Mass Shooters Receive Sympathetic Media Treatment. (2018). Retrieved from, https://news.osu.edu/white-mass-shooters-receive-sympathetic-media-treatment/

More Readings

Are Mass Murderers Insane? Usually Not, Researchers Say

Does the Second Amendment Protect Only White Gun Owners?

Fix The Framing: Racism Is Not A System of Mental Illness

How to respond to a joke about #MeToo – MarketWatch

President Trump mocked Christine Blasey Ford’s testimony alleging that Brett Kavanaugh had assaulted her during their high school years.
— Read on www.marketwatch.com/story/how-to-respond-to-a-joke-about-metoo-2018-10-03

Donald Trump is a sorry excuse of a President. If Michael Avenati gets arrested for domestic violence, how come Trump doesn’t get arrested for sexual assault??? I mean just like him, I mean we don’t “know” if Avenati committed the crime.🙄😒 The justice system is a joke. A man who ESPECIALLY makes light of rape jokes has NO right in the White House.

Just Shut Up!

The second time I’ve seen this pic, but I love how it’s portrayed.

 

Kavanaugh Krisis: The Fight For Women’s Rights and Health

Source: Heavy

This is all over the news right now, but how a Palo Alto University Psychology Professor by the name of Christine Blasey Ford revealed how Supreme Court Nominee, Brett Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her over 30 years at high school party.  Now that Kavanaugh is close to becoming a Supreme Court Judge, her story comes out. Every is having mixed views about this sudden move made by the Democrats. This chick included.

Professor Blasey Ford as a young girl. (Source: Heavy)

Okay…..this is why I have mixed views…

1. Why now? Look, this because of me being a sexual assault survivor myself, I don’t like how it’s being used as a trump card (no pun intended). It’s just tacky. I mean, this guy has been in the committee hearing since September 4th. Why now? This should have been out at the 3rd day of the committee at the least. This is
2. Whether Professor Blasey Ford story is keeps Kavanaugh from becoming Supreme Court Nominee or not, will there be protection for her? I mean, it could be damaging especially if he is elected, because what if she is further traumatized and then she is till harassed??? But even if he doesn’t get elected, she may still harassment. And I can’t imagine for family and young children. Will the Democratic party and the FBI protect her and her family??? I would HATE for her to be traumatized all over again. Speaking from experience, being re-traumatized is the worst.

But no lie, Kavanaugh CANNOT be a Supreme Court Judge. PERIOD. For starters, we already have sexual assaulter/rapist as a President of the United States. Do we need a sexual assaulter/rapist as a Supreme Court Judge??? Hell to freakin’ no! A sexual assaulter/rapist who ironically is for Roe V Wade. I mean like what the f*ck. And I especially don’t want an old white guy tell me what or not what to do with my body. Besides Black women unfortunately are often not heard especially when it comes to reproductive health. I mean, in regards to pregnancy, 3 out of 4 Black Women are more likely to die from birth complication and that has only doubled since 1987 (Ellis, Richards, & Roecker, 2018). Why IS that??? I hope one day to have a child and I am scared sh*tless of what this guy will do when he comes a Supreme Court Judge.

But yes, that we have use this poor woman in order to keep Kavanaugh from becoming a Supreme Court Judge is just wrong! I mean, what more do you need to prove to show that his nomination is really to keep to Trump from becoming impeached, but his nomination is under the guise of tearing down Roe V Wade. Check out the list of Trump’s shameless comments, thoughts and responses:

“All of the women on The Apprentice flirted with me-consciously or unconsciously. That’s to be expected.”

“If Ivanka were’t my daughter, perhaps I’d be dating her.” *gags*

“26,000 unreported sexual assaults in the military-only 238 convictions. What did these geniuses expect when they put men and women together?”

“If Hillary Clinton can’t satisfy her husband what makes her think she can satisfy America?”

A tape of Trump’s appearance on The Wendy Williams Show from 2013, show host Wendy Williams asked Trump and his daughter what she and her dad common.

Ivanka: Either real estate or golf

Trump: Well, I was going to say sex, but I can’t relate that to her.

***What the f**k??? Again?!?!***

” You could see there was blood coming out of her eye. Blood coming out of her where ever.” –Referring to Megyn Kelly “on” menstruation the day after the first Republican debate of the Presidential Campaign.

“Fox viewers give low marks to bimbo Megyn Kelly will consider other programs!”

“Look at that face. Would anyone vote for that? Can you imagine that, the face of our next President? I mean, she’s a woman, and I’m not suppose to say bad things, but really, folks, come on. Are we serious?”–Referring to Carly Fiorina former head of Hewlett-Packard and Trump Republican rival.

“I moved on her and I failed. I’ll admit it. I did try and f**k her. She was married. And I moved on her very heavily…I moved on her like a b**ch, but I couldn’t get there.” Trump on a unnamed women to Billy Bush who was a host for Access Hollywood.

“I’m going to be dating her in 10 years. Can you believe it?”  A 1992 appearance on Entertainment Tonight showed Trump watching a group of young girls going up the escalator in Trump Tower. He was 46 at the time.

Source from: The Telegraph

You have ANY IDEA how hard it was to copy down those quotes??? Holy crap it made me sick to my stomach. Yet… that’s not as sicking that despite of all the self-incriminating sexist and pedophiliac and incest comments Trump has said, he was STILL elected to president and yet for some stupid reason people think he’s “pro-life”??? It’s like the old verbiage goes “Show me your friends and I’ll tell you who you are.” I don’t know how “good” of a friend Kavanaugh is with Trump, but I know any of those politicians who support Trump and deny the crap, he has said and done, HAS to have some pretty damning things about themselves too.

Kavanaugh is already denying the assault he did upon Professor Blasey Ford, so I hope this is worth it. But let me tell you, regardless whether that man becomes a Supreme Court Judge or not. She has my esteemed respect. To be willing to not come out into this public years after it happen and use her story in order to attempt to stop him from being a Supreme Court Judge to stop him from ending Roe V. Wade, is a freakin’ hero! I mean, she could lose everything if this guy wins! Godforbid he uses his position to somehow ruin her and her family’s life. I really hope the FBI and the Democratic party have something in place to help and protect her and all she hold dear. Her life is also a great way to know you can still have a family too in spite of such a tragic event. Lastly, what really, makes it great is that thankfully she has been attending therapy and her therapist has had all the notes, to prove she has been taking care of her mental health all these years so people can know that this isn’t something she made up.

I really, really, really hope this works, if this does work, it’s a win for her (finally having her story told), it’s a win for people who have been sexually assaulted (giving us more courage) and it’s DEFINITELY a win for women’s health and rights.

Reference:

Ellis, R., Richards, J. & Roecker, M. (2018, January 17).Maternal Health Statistics Staggering for Black Women. Retrieved from: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/maternal-health-statistics-staggering-black-women-n838166

Readings:

A Former Sex-Crimes Prosecutor Analyzed Ford’s Allegations Against Kavanaugh. Here’s Her Take

Christine Blasey Ford Feared An Avalanche of Attacks If She Went Public About Kavanaugh, Friends Say

How Federal Tax Dollars Support Planned Parenthood Patients

Okay so Trump is trying to get states not to give any more funding to Planned Parenthood clinics, because they “only” use the money for abortions. Well… I wish the country didn’t vote Trump in, because supporting him to become President of the United States is like supporting other sexual assaulters to become anything they want even after they have hurt numerous women. 😛

Anywho, to be defund Planned Parenthood completely, wouldn’t be a wise thing to do considering the damage that “Trumpcare” could have done especially for women and the poor. If it wasn’t for Planned Parenthood my mother would have not have been able to receive inexpensive preventative care against breast cancer.  She’s still doing well. If it wasn’t for Planned Parenthood I would have not been able to receive free STI and HIV/AIDS testing after being sexually assaulted. I am STI, HIV/AIDS negative. If it wasn’t for Planned Parenthood, millions of women would have received basic health care checkups. They are doing well. The infograph below, showcases  how federal tax dollars are used to help people who use Planned Parenthood services.

#DiagnoseTrump: The Movement That Could Worsen The Pursuit Mental Health Awareness

Ugh… This fool…

We’ve all been watching the presidential campaign trail. And we’ve especially heard all the outrageous and detrimental statements that Donald J. Trump has said, especially towards the American people regarding immigration, xenophobia, racism, misogyny… I could write his statements just to prove the depths of his foolishness. But you know  what?I am not even going to even bother (if you wanna know look it up. It’s everywhere). Just thought of writing his statements on my  blog is so repulsive! 😛  This guy verbally alone has said so much damaging words and the fool isn’t even elected president. God forbid! *does the sign of the cross*

Rep. Karen Bass (D-Calif)

Now lately, there’s this movement…rather a petition called, “#Diagnose Trump”. The petition  started by Rep.  Karen Bass (D-Calif.) is using this basically get the Republican Party to force Donald Trump to seek a mental health evaluation. The petition reads (Bendery, 2016):

“Donald Trump is dangerous for our country. His impulsiveness and lack of control over his own emotions are of concern. It is our patriotic duty to raise the question of his mental stability to be the commander in chief and leader of the free world.”

Look it’s true that Trump has said a lot of bombastic statements, but that shouldn’t warrant a “petition.” First of all, if you don’t want him in office then make sure you vote! Two, you can’t force someone to seek mental health evaluation! Only a judge in the client’s respective state can force a mental health evaluation (Know, 2016). And think about it…if this were taken to a civilian level, it could encourage employers to do the same. Could you imagine the damage it could do to those currently working? I mean, in 2014 it was reported by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), that the national unemployment rate for  individuals receiving public mental health service was about 80% (Mental Illness, 2014).That number could rise if something similar to a mental health eval happened to us when seeking employment or currently enrolled in employment. Eeesh. Hopefully those Equal Employment Opportunities will still stand in place (hence the importance to vote)! Let’s go to my third reason.

I understand that Trump has said a lot of wack-ado comments, but c’mon…really? This? This photo doesn’t just make Trump look bad (No, I am not defending Trump. The guy really is a hot mess), it makes individuals living with mental illness look bad too.

Number three, it is going to add more stigma on top on existing stigma of mental illness. People alone on Twitter are already adding a misinterpretation to the evaluation of  and misconception of mental illness. Here are a few:

“Yep…an insane narcissist.” [in reference to Trump]

“He needs to be drug tested.” [also in reference to Trump]

“#diagnose Trump for all the nonexistent people he keeps hearing and nonexistent  things he keeps seeing” [Well…you know who]

Look, I get it… when you see or hear events, for example, Trump’s outrageous comments and number of mass shootings that have gone in the United States in past 8 years of course you wonder, what possesses people to do or say such things? And yes, it makes sense to wonder about incidents like that in hopes of  becoming quote/unquote, “more aware and secure”. But to blame it the mentally ill though? Do people really think that by using a group of people to label a wrong or to understand a situation or a person is really going to make the world a better place? I mean just check out what Paul Ryan, the Speaker of the House said on mental illness and guns (Don’t Blame,2015).

“People with mental illness are getting guns and committing these mass shootings.”

That was said December of last year and did that stop the gun violence that happened the past seven months of this year? No. Congress still continues to sit on their hands doing nothing about gun violence and enforcing stricter gun laws. Look…there are people that are just evil, aggressive or thoughtless human beings. However, mental illness does not mean any and I mean any of those things.

According to the article, “Dem Lawmaker Says Trump Needs a Psych Evaluation”, Ms. Bass was physicians assistant and clinical instructor. As a former physicians assistant, she should know better than do something than call out on an individual’s mental health. Even if Trump had a mental health issue, it’s not right! Hell, people already say terms like, “She’s crazy” or “Is he on drugs?” Statements like that alone makes people ignorant and thoughtless enough! In addition, Ms. Bass is indirectly discouraging individuals from seeking or continuing mental health treatment . By doing that, it makes people already living with mental illness ashamed, frustrated, or even afraid. Here’s what else she had to say about Trump’s behavior,

“Mr. Trump appears to exhibits all the symptoms of the mental disorder Narcissistic Personality Disorder. It is entirely possible that some individuals with NPD can successfully function in many careers, but not the Presidency of the United States.”

Okay here’s where she gets two things wrong:

1. Although she is only referring with those living with NPD, to say that an individual living with any mental illness is not capable of anything including the Presidency of the United States is wrong.
2. Uh…hello? Abraham Lincoln lived with depression and he was the president of the united states.

Look, I don’t mean to tear Ms. Bass down or even talk about about politics. I am just stating that like Trump, she too has to be careful on her actions and words can effect everyone. We should too. So guys, during this election year make sure your vote count and keep making sure individuals with mental illness will keep the dignity and honor they deserve!

 References

Bendery, Jennifer (2016, August 3). Dem lawmaker says Trump needs a psych evaluation. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/karen-bass-donald-trump-mental-health_us_57a285cbe4b0e1aac914bda5

Don’t blame mental illness for gun violence (2015, December 15). Retrieved from, http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/16/opinion/dont-blame-mental-illness-for-gun-violence.html?_r=0

Know the laws in your state. (2016). Retrieved from http://www.treatmentadvocacycenter.org/get-help/know-the-laws-in-your-state

Mental Illness: NAMI report deplores 80 percent unemployment rate; state rates and ranks listed-model legislation proposed. (2014, January 1). Retrieved from https://www.nami.org/Press-Media/Press-Releases/2014/Mental-Illness-NAMI-Rep ort-Deplores-80-Percent-Un

Types of mental health professionals. (n.d.) Retrieved from http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/types-mental-health-professionals