Debate about mental health ill-timed

Like the rest of the nation, my organization was devastated to hear of the school shooting last week. As the way to prevent such tragedies is complex and multifaceted, we need to look at all of the mitigating factors that include gun laws, family/ community support for troubled kids, school safety and mental health.

We are disheartened when the conversation immediately turns to mental health after such tragedies, as it perpetuates the false general notion that people with mental illness are violent. Of course we need more support for mental-health services, but the conversation needs to be ongoing instead of a political talking point in the wake of another mass shooting.

Mental Health America's president and CEO Paul Gionfriddo said "We can all agree that we need to keep weapons, including assault weapons, out of the hands of people who have thoughts of violence, whether or not they have mental illness. This should be the goal of public policy initiatives today and in the future.

"Common sense is that background checks are appropriate for someone who wishes to purchase a gun.

"If someone has a pattern or history of violence, that person should not have access to weapons. The debate cannot continue to be deflected toward a debate about mental health."

Kenton Beachy Executive director Mental Health America of Franklin County Columbus