No More Violent than Anyone Else

Brother
Originally uploaded by .:: LINUZ ::.

Our Seattle-area television news reported last night on the multiple murders committed earlier this week in Alger, Washington. Much was said about the mental illness of the alleged shooter. Side stories left the impression that the mentally ill, specifically those with bipolar disorder, are dangerous people.

The fact is that people with mental illness are no more likely to commit violent acts than people in general. To attach to the tragedy that occurred this week the stories of other bipolar patients who happen to be among the violent minority does much to add to the stigma associated with mental illness. Those of us who suffer from mental illness have enough to do in helping others understand us without them learning to fear us on the nightly news.

I was heartened today to see that I was not the only one disturbed by what I witnessed over the airwaves last night. See more on this issue here.

(Click on the picture for credits.)