Castles in the air

WORLD Mental Health Day was marked on October 9. But it came to pass with a whimper. That would have been the best time to examine the state of our own mental health.

Our lawmakers have yet to pass a mental health law giving the public easy access to mental health services in government hospitals.

As of now, mental health services are expensive and out reach to the public. Simply thinking about the cost would make you crazy.

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Many people take the mental health issue lightly. Even our local governments failed to provide care for the number of “taong grasa” roaming the streets or sleeping on the sidewalks.

Jokes and anecdotes about people suffering from mental illness abound, like this a doctor told me.

A doctor in a mental institution gathered patients in a room. To test whether they have been cured, he drew a door on the wall and told them they can all go home.

All but one ran to the drawing of a door on the wall. The doctor asked the one who remained on his seat why he didn’t join the rest. He replied, “Well doc, that door was locked and I am the one holding the key.”

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But mental illness is not a laughing matter, especially when it results in violence. On Sunday, a man who was apparently suffering from mental illness beheaded his common-law wife in Barangay Tayud, Consolacion, Ceb u .

Police have yet to know the cause or causes of the man’s mental illness, if they ever will. What’s important, however, is the advice of a local psychologist to seek medical help when you or a member of your family is suffering from mental probl em s.

As Jerome Lawrence, American playwright and author noted for the 1955 screenplay “Inherit the Wind,” said, “Neurotics build castles in the air. Psychotics live in them. Psychiatrists collect the rent.”