DEPUTY’S SHOOTING
Discussing mental health and guns
Re: “Mental illness’ deadly danger,” Jan. 3 editorial.
I share the grief of our community concerning the tragic loss of Deputy Zachari Parrish. I am also deeply saddened by the headline on The Denver’s Post editorial.
Gun violence is absolutely a deadly danger. Mental illness is not usually deadly. The president of the American Psychological Association stated in a press release on Nov. 6, “The vast majority of people with mental illness are not violent.”
The stigma in our society about mental illness prevents us from ensuring adequate treatment and prevents suffering individuals from committing to treatment from currently limited mental health care options. The editorial headline perpetuates this stigma.
Let’s not wait for another tragic event to end gun violence at the source, access to guns, and let’s accept mental illness as a human condition that requires fully funded quality treatment. Sally Volkert, Denver
No, the Douglas County shooting is not a tragic reminder of mental health needs. It is a tragic reminder of what happens when shameless politicians beholden to the NRA set gun control policy.
Every nation in the world has mentally ill populations. Only in America, where there is unfettered access to semiautomatic weapons, do we see these kind of tragedies unfold daily.
There is no question that the United Sates should invest far more in mental health, but given the total lack of political will to do so, the only way to stop this madness is to limit the easy availability of guns and ammunition. Until we demand this from our politicians, the carnage will continue.
Enough of the “thoughts and prayers” and meaning- less overtures about “improving mental health services.” They are little solace for the loved ones of the tens of thousands lost to gun violence in our country every year. Maxine Most, Louisville
It is quite unfortunate that many areas in this state do not share the compassionate, enlightened attitude of The Denver Post. As a member of National Alliance on Mental Illness, I know that there are training sessions available for law enforcement officials who deal with at-risk adults. From personal experiences, I know that Logan County and Adams County have not felt it necessary to participate in this crisis intervention training.
My adult son has been brutally assaulted by police officers (who wrote in the arrest report that “the suspect appeared to be suicidal”). They approached him aggressively and, after he fought to escape two armed officers, they subdued him, cuffed him and used a Taser on him multiple times.
When they booked him into the Adams County Detention Center, they did not request a 72-hour watch. He was thrown into solitary confinement without medication and denied treatment for his condition.
There is more to this horror story, but suffice it to say that this was not the only time he has suffered abuse from law enforcement. Shari Walsh, Sterling
Re: “Gunman fled VA hospital in ’14 while held for psychotic episode,” Jan. 3 news story.
Your article says the gunman who killed Deputy Zackari Parrish obtained 1,000 rounds of ammunition at Walmart. The man was known to be mentally ill, and documented as a psychotic who made frequent threats in Wyoming (the threats were reported to Douglas County), yet he was able to easily purchase an assault rifle and enough ammunition to kill dozens of people in a matter of moments. And no one noticed.
My heart goes out to Parrish’s family, but we must stop the sale of these murderous weapons, and the endless rounds of bullets which anyone can obtain at Walmart. Please use your vote in 2018 to elect candidates who will enact stronger gun control laws. And please spare me the argument that “Guns don’t kill people; people kill people.” Karen Hartman, Westminster
Re: “State wants police to try new tactics,” Jan. 3 news story.
It’s ironic that The Denver Post would have a front page article about “new approaches to how police officers handle cases involving mental illness and drug addiction” the day after the largest treatment facility in the state for drug addiction closed due to lack of funding. Our jails have become de facto warehouses for these people because there is not enough space in such facilities. Carol Kennedy, Thornton