One tragic incident, two stories about life in America

[havocmom]

First, does society save or pay when mental health care is not taken seriously?

He only wanted someone to help him.

But the effects of Aaron Swyers' paranoid schizophrenia grew stronger and more terrifying as Wednesday wore on, leading to a tragic accident that claimed his life and the lives of Pima County Sheriff's Deputy Timothy Graham and taxi driver Dawud Isa Abusida.

Swyers, 23, had been released from the hospital on Tuesday after a five-day stay after a suicide attempt. He'd called 911 three times seeking help Wednesday, and Graham had been to see him once already before an excited delusion led Swyers to believe others, including law-enforcement officers, were out to get him.....

...At some point, the deputy tried to use a Taser to stop Swyers, but it didn't work. Abusida, who stopped to help the deputy, and the other two men struggled in the median and fell into westbound traffic. All three were hit by a truck.

more

And while the neocons would like us to focus our concerns on fear of and hate for followers of a particular religion, here is another chapter of the tragic story above: The gentleman who tried to aid the deputy and was killed was an adherant to Islam. He was being a good, American citizen, coming to the aid of his neighbors.

The family of Dawud Isa Abusida, and three diverse groups of people who consider him a brother, gathered at the Islamic Center of Tucson on Friday to mourn his loss, pray for his soul and praise the heroic actions he took in the final moments of his life.

One group, members of the Sunni Muslim community at the mosque Abusida attended regularly, responded to prayers chanted in Arabic and listened to Imam Mohammed Elfarooqui proclaim in Arabic and English that the best death is that met "in doing deeds that benefit humanity."

Translating from the Quran, Elfarooqui said: "For those who believe and do good, we will certainly give them abode in the high place in Paradise, beneath which rivers flow."

Sheriff's Sgt. Terry Parish represented the second group, the Pima County Sheriff's Department, which was out in force "to pay its respect to a hero."

More about Abusida's memorial

America is better when we spent resources on taking proper care of our ill citizens. America is better when we remeber that we are stronger in brotherhood than in hatred. America is best when we honor all people and show reverance for all.

[madeline_con]

1. A thought... or 4

At what point do we decide to lock up one person exhibiting a given behavior, and not another?

How long is he to be locked up?

How can we tell what he's thinking and prevent a relapse shortly after release?

How do we stop peolpe bitching when he is NOT released, and prevents further harm to himself and society, but they want to second guess how he "... might have been fine if they'd just let him get back to his family"?

[havocmom]

3. How about we make sure he gets heard when he says the meds they gave

him are not working? He was a very productive member of society and took care of his family when he got the meds he needed! He didn't need to be locked up, he needed to be attended to, as we all do at times. He needed meds that would help him.

They changed the meds and he knew things were getting bad. Did you read the linked artical? He was in the hospital due to cutting himself. He did that to try and get attention to the fact that he needed different meds! Instead of doing it right, they put him in for the mandatory time after a 'sucicide attempt' then let him out, but did not get him meds that kept his condition from ruining him!

I am NOT an advocate for locking people up! That is too often the course and usually when there is insurance to cover a few days. Big problem with that. My complaint is that, as a society, we simply do not take care of mental health care and it cost more in the long run to ignore problems or apply a band-aid.

Proper meds make a world of difference for so many, but cost cutting can cut lives short.

[beam me up scottie]

5. You are exactly right.

My ex-brother in law cut himself the same way for the same reason SEVERAL times.
He had no insurance and could not get into a facility.
They would keep him for several days in hospital and then turn him loose with a week's worth of meds.
They also gave him prescriptions and referrals to counselors when they knew he could afford neither.
One morning a month after his last stay in the hospital, he ended up pointing a gun at a police officer through an upstairs window after he barricaded himself in his father's home.
He had cut both his wrists and called the police for help.
The only reason he was not killed by the cops was because my ex was able to get into the house and got the gun away from him.

[havocmom]

8. Gads, glad that story ended without a barrage of gunfire.

With all the great strides in understanding the chemical imbalances involved in so many mental health problems, and the fantastic strives in medicines, it is tragic that people cannot get what they need to keep functioning.

What did Jesus say about what we do to the least among us? We need to take care of those who need a hand instead of leaving them to fend in traffic.

[beam me up scottie]

9. The "compassionate conservatives" have

managed to turn people with mental illness into criminals.

And the media is complicit when it spins and sensationalizes their stories.

The shouts of "Lock them up" are a perfect example of the result.

[beam me up scottie]

2. Recommended.

A very powerful message, HM.
Thank you.

[havocmom]

4. Thanks, the two sides of the same coin hit me squarly between the eyes

this morning as I read the Tucson paper. Being somewhat familiar with the shortcomings of care there, it is a particular sore spot with me.

And there is a very large, diverse muslim population in Tucson. In fact, there are many diverse groups. Instead of being a hotbed of hate, it is usually a place where ethnic and religious differences are cause for learning, growth and celebration. Amazing... and in a 'red state' too;)

If you ever get a chance, go to Tucson in Oct. The temps get down to reasonable and there is a huge festival to promote leaning and understanding of other cultures within the population. It is reaffirming and wonderful.

[beam me up scottie]

6. I never knew that about Tucson.

I wish your city wasn't the exception, but the rule in red states, and blue ones, too, for that matter.

What a moving story.

I was so angry over the loss of life but I still felt like rejoicing when I read about how the community came together at the driver's funeral.

And the young man's wife is going to give birth to a son in a few weeks.

How tragic and unnecessary this was.
What a horrible waste of the lives of three good men.

[beam me up scottie]

7. kick

Great thread, HM.

[beam me up scottie]

10. another kick before bed