The recent tragedy in Newtown, CT launched a national, if not global, discussion around mental illness and caring for the mentally ill. The need for better understanding, a higher level of care, more resources and greater support for both the patients and the caretakers has been brought out into the light. The conversations are frequent and passionate and need to continue to help bring change and better understanding to this difficult and often misunderstood topic.
Here is a link to an interview Amy gave to NPR radio in December 2012: http://wxxinews.org/post/caring-mentally-ill
While we don’t know the motives behind the tragedy, the mass shooting in Connecticut last week has inspired a national conversation about mental illness. Amy, who has asked that her last name not be used to protect her child’s identity, is the Rochester area mother of a son who suffers from mental illness. She says she is grateful that people want to know more about the mentally ill and how to care for them. Amy says she has found that there are a lack of support services locally for caretakers like herself.
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