Mental health crisis’

Jazzy

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Why aren’t mental health crisis’ taken serious until after crimes are committed?
 

Lamb

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It could be that people aren't aware of the severity of the crisis until the person can't handle things anymore. We've seen the commercials on tv where a person with mental health issues holds up a smiley face but behind that mask they're suffering. So that's why we can't always detect that a crisis is there.
 

1689Dave

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Why aren’t mental health crisis’ taken serious until after crimes are committed?
I think it was back when Reagan turned off mental health funding. Google it for details.
 

tango

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Why aren’t mental health crisis’ taken serious until after crimes are committed?

It's easier to ignore things until they explode and then claim nobody could have predicted them, than it is to try and actually fix problems before they turn into crises.

Governments are great at saying they don't have funds for something (even though they never seem to run out of money for their own pet projects). For good measure there's little visibility in solving problems before they turn into something major. Once an issue has exploded into the population's awareness (sometimes literally) there's lots of visibility in Making Sure It Never Happens Again. Acting after the fact also makes it easier to propose sweeping legislation - you know, to protect the people - when what is really needed is a better way of dealing with the smaller problem before it becomes a bigger problem.

The fact that most mental health issues are not readily apparent to casual observers doesn't help, nor does the fact that some people use terms relating to mental health to imply that a bit of day-to-day stress is something they shouldn't be expected to be have to handle.
 

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It could be that people aren't aware of the severity of the crisis until the person can't handle things anymore. We've seen the commercials on tv where a person with mental health issues holds up a smiley face but behind that mask they're suffering. So that's why we can't always detect that a crisis is there.
This. Sometimes the person dealing with the issue doesn't really know until they can't handle things anymore. One has to admit they have a problem before they seek help. Also, it can be difficult to get an appointment in a timely manner when one realizes they need help as therapists, psychologists and psychiatrists tend to be in short supply for whatever reason.
 

ValleyGal

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In BC, self-determination is written in the mental health act. People 16 and older have the right to not take medications or seek help. Many have intense shame due to stigma, so they don't seek help. Mostly, people with untreated mental health concerns are just as "safe" as anyone else - except maybe when there is drug use involved and they resort to crime to feed their addiction. Otherwise, crime rates are actually lower for those who have a mental illness than for the general population.

I work in mental health, and as Lamb said, the people who are referred to me usually wait until they just can't cope anymore, only to find there is about a 5 month wait list. Eight months ago, it was about a 6-8 week wait list. In the last week (five working days) of November, I had 10 referrals from one doctor alone, and two from other doctors. I average about 2-3 referrals a week. My waitlist used to have about 16-19, now it sits at 40.

On the plus side, in BC, if someone is going through a mental illness and it is worsening, they are welcome to present to the hospital for evaluation and possible admission. When someone is at risk of harm to self or others, they are admitted involuntarily. I am fortunate to live in a place that absolutely takes mental health very seriously, and after having very limited funding for decades, the government is reopening mental health "institutions" that have been converted to more humane supported living communities.
 

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Insanity is part of God's curse on the fallen race.

“This is an evil among all things that are done under the sun, that there is one event unto all: yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead.” Ecclesiastes 9:3 (KJV 1900)

Those with the Holy Spirit should not be affected. “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV 1900)
 

ValleyGal

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Mental illness is not rooted in fear. It largely stems from some sort of trauma, often in early childhood but definitely later in life as well, especially when the trauma poses a real or perceived threat of loss. Trauma changes the brain and it changes DNA. These changes are then passed on through the generations because our children inherit our DNA which carries our trauma. Drugs also factor in. Boys under age 25 are still developing. When they use marijuana, it alters how they produce sperm, and that in turn affects the sperm produced, which obviously affects the baby. These are biological roots.

The passage in Ecclesiastes is talking about the folly of men, and I suspect it was intended as a figure of speech like when someone makes a poor decision, I might exclaim, "that's insane!" but does not refer to mental illness or even mental health concerns. It means I question their judgement. The passage in Ecclesiastes says "This is the evil in everything that happens under the sun: The same destiny overtakes all..." (NIV) The evil is that death [of the body] takes both the righteous and unrighteous, those who love, those who hate, those who are wise and those who are "insane" (make poor decisions). Read the whole passage.

You would be surprised at how many very committed Christians have mental health concerns including depression, anxiety, personality disorders (especially narcissism), OCD, ADHD, Autistic Spectrum, and even have had psychotic episodes or the more severe forms of mental illness such as schizophrenia. Tbh, there are people on these kinds of forums who I am positive have disorders, the most blatant that I have noticed is narcissistic personality disorder. One of the biggest problems with bringing mental illness to light in the church is the judgement against them just because they have some mental health struggles. They have already been stigmatized, marginalized, judged, disregarded as unworthy or undeserving. Maybe the church would benefit by extending the love and acceptance of the Lord Jesus?
 

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Mental illness is not rooted in fear. It largely stems from some sort of trauma, often in early childhood but definitely later in life as well, especially when the trauma poses a real or perceived threat of loss. Trauma changes the brain and it changes DNA. These changes are then passed on through the generations because our children inherit our DNA which carries our trauma. Drugs also factor in. Boys under age 25 are still developing. When they use marijuana, it alters how they produce sperm, and that in turn affects the sperm produced, which obviously affects the baby. These are biological roots.

The passage in Ecclesiastes is talking about the folly of men, and I suspect it was intended as a figure of speech like when someone makes a poor decision, I might exclaim, "that's insane!" but does not refer to mental illness or even mental health concerns. It means I question their judgement. The passage in Ecclesiastes says "This is the evil in everything that happens under the sun: The same destiny overtakes all..." (NIV) The evil is that death [of the body] takes both the righteous and unrighteous, those who love, those who hate, those who are wise and those who are "insane" (make poor decisions). Read the whole passage.

You would be surprised at how many very committed Christians have mental health concerns including depression, anxiety, personality disorders (especially narcissism), OCD, ADHD, Autistic Spectrum, and even have had psychotic episodes or the more severe forms of mental illness such as schizophrenia. Tbh, there are people on these kinds of forums who I am positive have disorders, the most blatant that I have noticed is narcissistic personality disorder. One of the biggest problems with bringing mental illness to light in the church is the judgement against them just because they have some mental health struggles. They have already been stigmatized, marginalized, judged, disregarded as unworthy or undeserving. Maybe the church would benefit by extending the love and acceptance of the Lord Jesus?
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV 1900)


Our model suggests that fear plays a substantial role in the lives of adult mental health service users. This has particular consequences for therapeutic relationships, engagement with services and engagement with the wider community. This lack of engagement is associated with adverse outcomes. Further research into the role of fear and the factors that mediate against it is warranted. The role of fear in mental health service users’ experiences: a qualitative exploration
 

tango

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Mental illness is not rooted in fear. It largely stems from some sort of trauma, often in early childhood but definitely later in life as well, especially when the trauma poses a real or perceived threat of loss. Trauma changes the brain and it changes DNA. These changes are then passed on through the generations because our children inherit our DNA which carries our trauma. Drugs also factor in. Boys under age 25 are still developing. When they use marijuana, it alters how they produce sperm, and that in turn affects the sperm produced, which obviously affects the baby. These are biological roots.

The passage in Ecclesiastes is talking about the folly of men, and I suspect it was intended as a figure of speech like when someone makes a poor decision, I might exclaim, "that's insane!" but does not refer to mental illness or even mental health concerns. It means I question their judgement. The passage in Ecclesiastes says "This is the evil in everything that happens under the sun: The same destiny overtakes all..." (NIV) The evil is that death [of the body] takes both the righteous and unrighteous, those who love, those who hate, those who are wise and those who are "insane" (make poor decisions). Read the whole passage.

You would be surprised at how many very committed Christians have mental health concerns including depression, anxiety, personality disorders (especially narcissism), OCD, ADHD, Autistic Spectrum, and even have had psychotic episodes or the more severe forms of mental illness such as schizophrenia. Tbh, there are people on these kinds of forums who I am positive have disorders, the most blatant that I have noticed is narcissistic personality disorder. One of the biggest problems with bringing mental illness to light in the church is the judgement against them just because they have some mental health struggles. They have already been stigmatized, marginalized, judged, disregarded as unworthy or undeserving. Maybe the church would benefit by extending the love and acceptance of the Lord Jesus?

I think some people believe mental illness is the kind of thing you can just pray away. You know, like everything else they don't want to have to deal with.

It's hard work dealing with some mortal issues but there's no need to worry. All I need to do is offer a patronising pat on the head, a few words about having faith and maybe even a promise to pray for you if I remember, and it's not my problem any more - I get to wash my hands of the whole thing and continue to feel self-righteous. Because, you know, quoting a Bible verse makes all sorts of ailments magically go away. Especially when someone else is suffering the ailments.

Repeat after me, "God, I thank you that I am not like this person here...."
 

ValleyGal

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“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV 1900)


Our model suggests that fear plays a substantial role in the lives of adult mental health service users. This has particular consequences for therapeutic relationships, engagement with services and engagement with the wider community. This lack of engagement is associated with adverse outcomes. Further research into the role of fear and the factors that mediate against it is warranted. The role of fear in mental health service users’ experiences: a qualitative exploration
From the study: "...explanatory and predictive power in determining how, when and why fear was experienced: power/control and stigma/discrimination."

Fear does not drive the mental illness. It drives how they engage with services due to stigma, discrimination, and power and control. The mental illness or mental health struggle itself is not fear-based except in one of the 35-50 identified fears.
 

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From the study: "...explanatory and predictive power in determining how, when and why fear was experienced: power/control and stigma/discrimination."

Fear does not drive the mental illness. It drives how they engage with services due to stigma, discrimination, and power and control. The mental illness or mental health struggle itself is not fear-based except in one of the 35-50 identified fears.
If you focus on the passage, fear is just one thing God does not include in his plan for us. Try focusing on A Sound Mind, as the purpose of the verse. Why would a true believer need a shrink?
 
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If you focus on the passage, fear is just one thing God does not include in his plan for us. Try focusing on A Sound Mind, as the purpose of the verse. Why would a true believer need a shrink?

A true believer still lives in a body that is affected by Original Sin...meaning we get sick and die. Depression, for instance, is a chemical imbalance within the brain. THAT is why doctors and medicines are needed.
 

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A true believer still lives in a body that is affected by Original Sin...meaning we get sick and die. Depression, for instance, is a chemical imbalance within the brain. THAT is why doctors and medicines are needed.
How do you know you are a true believer?
 

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A person who is mentally ill can have a sound mind. It takes a sound mind to realize that they have a mental health concern and seek help. It takes a sound mind to work with the doctors to find solutions. It takes a sound mind to engage in changing thinking patterns and form new ones.

Why is it a person can be sick from the neck down, but not the neck up?
 

tango

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A person who is mentally ill can have a sound mind. It takes a sound mind to realize that they have a mental health concern and seek help. It takes a sound mind to work with the doctors to find solutions. It takes a sound mind to engage in changing thinking patterns and form new ones.

Why is it a person can be sick from the neck down, but not the neck up?

Because faith, and a few random verses quoted out of context. Or something like that, apparently.
 

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Why aren’t mental health crisis’ taken serious until after crimes are committed?
Too much work, costs a cent and they don't know what to do, waiting lists, noone wants to do that work.
 
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Messy

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