The Nanny: Mental illness will suffer setback, despite Patrick Kennedy's advocacy

In much of America, because of the stigma surrounding mental illness, there isn't much of a safety net. 

Those like nanny Yoselyn Ortega who might sense they are losing control over their perceptions probably avoid taking concrete action until the crisis passes - or leads to tragedy.  The media report that this woman who allegedly murdered two children in her care might have sought out psychiatric help.  And that could be her defense lawyer's strategy: The insanity plea.

Had she been struggling with a physcial problem like diabetes she might have asked for time off until the condition stabilized.  However, in American society we are not encouraged to do that in the early signs of emotional problems.  The risk is too high.

Former U.S. Representative Patrick Kennedy, himself saddled with mental illness, has been an effective advocate for understanding the condition as a disease.  He had gotten the parity law passed in Congress for the ways insurance companies reimburse mental illness claims compared to those about physical illnesses.

Obviously, in the court of public opinion, there will be ramped-up discrimination against those with a history of psychiatric care.  The condition will go back into the closet, preventing adequate diagnosis and treatment. That's sad.  Had my family members been diagnosed sooner and treated with state-of-the-art approaches, they might be alive today.  Most were victims of passive suicide.  No, they didn't slit their throats like Ortega.  Instead they took the self-deliverance road more traveled like stopping their blood pressure medication or not addressing a lump on their breast.

Comments

[Gracelyn]

I used to think that anyone afflicted with a mental illness was going to be a very ill person for the rest of their lives. From first-hand experience I can tell you that it is very possible for a person with a mental disorder to gain a reasonable standard of living after suffering from a chronic mental illness.

[Sonia]

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