But as lawmakers rush to restrict that access in the wake of recent mass shootings, mental health experts warn of unintended consequences: from gun owners avoiding mental health treatment to therapists feeling compelled to report every patient who expresses a violent thought.
“Many patients express some idea of harm to other people, everything from, ‘I wish I could rip my boss limb from limb,’ to, ‘I have a gun and want to blow that guy away,’” said Paul Applebaum, director of the Division of Law, Ethics, and Psychiatry at Columbia University.
Therapists usually interpret this sort of talk as part of the treatment process, experts say. But under a new law in New York, one of the strongest to be passed to date, therapists may feel compelled to report every instance of violent talk, lest they face legal consequences if something happens. And some say ordinary patients may wind up suffering the most.
“There’s one group of people who are gun owners who may reasonably or unreasonably think, ‘I’m not going anywhere near a mental health person, because if they misinterpret something I say as an indication I’m going to hurt myself or someone else, they’re going to report me and take away my guns,’” Applebaum said.
*****
It's just not a smart thing to do. It wasn't before and especially not now.
Hell, there's a lot of folks out there who would accuse you for a lot of "reasons". This is citizens encouraged to turn in fellow citizens for disagreeing with you. This is getting very spooky. I might have to take some stickers off my truck.
ReplyDeleteFUK OBLAMO!
Just wait until there's a shooting where the media later learns that the shooter had sought treatment for mental health issues- the shrink who didn't institutionalize him on the spot will instantly become responsible. There is nothing, but nothing that the sheeple and government likes more than a scapegoat to wrap up a conflict and get back to watching Honey Boo Boo.
ReplyDeleteStarting to feel like I woke up in the old East Germany.
ReplyDeleteThe VA has been questioning folks for quite some time; "do you feel violent?, do you want to commit suicide?" these are serious questions, but also trick questions, with you providing the key to your own cell!!!!
ReplyDeleteJust cautioned my teenager the other day. Told him never and I mean never, tell his doctor, teachers, counselors that he is feeling depressed or aggitated. Suicidal, or homicidal. Never fill out the "how many guns in the house" on any form much less a drs form, EVER. Simply smile and say, "my ear aches".
ReplyDelete