Quote:
Originally Posted by Taltarzac725
Psychiatric News
I see a lot of ignorance and deliberate refusal to even educate oneself about mental illness. Especially with respect to the mass shootings, so far, of 2022.
Hope we can get some worthwhile information on this thread involving critical thinking and access to the best scientific thinking in the various fields that involve mental health.
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Your post speaks of ignorance and refusal to get educated then hopes for some critical thinking. I read the entire article from the link you provided and these are my thoughts on Ms. Brendel's announcements. I would be interested in your comments.
The title sets the tone. We won the legislation we wanted but we want more. Okay, so this is a political piece.
Her first point is announcing we have a mental health pandemic. She is stating there is mental health problem/disease/crisis but doesn't quantify if it's our country or our planet. I must have missed the announcement. When did the WHO declare a mental health pandemic?
She's obviously pleased with the passage of "Safer Communities Act" with the first point of the Federal funding of $750 million for states to implement red flag laws. She defines the red flag laws as preventing possession of firearms by those at high risk of violence. That can only be the business of the APA if it is deemed a mental illness. Right? If so, who makes that assessment? Is the assessment by a mental health professional? No. 17 states have red flags laws. How do they work exactly? Obviously we all get our day in court, right? Well, no we don't. Not for red flag laws.
A petitioner may contact Law Enforcement and say they believe you are a risk to yourself and/or others. The list of people who qualify as a petitioner varies from state to state. In Florida, anyone can be the petitioner. Your neighbor, the roommate you kicked out for not paying rent, anyone. There is supposed to be enough evidence to convince Law Enforcement to contact a Judge. That Judge has an emergency hearing and you are not there. Your attorney is not there. In this brand of "due process" you don't have your day in court. You are caught off guard and completely surprised when the Officers knock on your day and tell you to surrender your guns and ammo. In some states getting them back is a whole complicated process. California can issue that protective order to last from 1 to 5 years.
Of the 17 states that currently have red flag laws, none of them require a mental health assessment. Only 2 states even mention if the person has a mental health history. If mental health is not the criteria for issuing a red flag protective order, why is the APA lobbying for them?
Obviously, I don't like red flag laws and how they have been implemented. Innocent people who have committed no crime have been killed and innocent people who have committed no crime have had their firearms confiscated and getting them back is not easy. There is only one way I can support a red flag law and that is a requirement for a 5150. If someone truly believes that someone is a danger to themselves and others then they should believe it enough to request a 5150, the person is evaluated for mental stability by a mental health professional, not by an angry family member, neighbor, teacher, etc..
The behavioral health clinics, suicide hot lines, etc. all make perfect sense for Ms. Brendel to be excited.
Then, she announces the true agenda. "We cannot - and we will not stop now". APA is committed to the reduction of sale and use of "assault weapons and high capacity magazines". Again, not about mental health at all. Political activism. Next she jumps into Roe v. Wade and federal protections on race, gender identity, sexual orientation, to name a few. APA is going to "fight" against the government intruding on the doctor-patient relationship in ANY domain of care and treatment and to preserve and promote the rights of every American to be free from discrimination (unless you own an AR).
Ms. Brendel is rightfully excited by the help in funding for mental health across the nation. She wears two hats; mental health professional and political activist. She should keep her nose out of my Rights as acknowledged by the 2nd Amendment.